As the weather gets warmer, experts are warning homeowners to be on their guard against a common insect that wreak havoc on properties across the nation.
Known as 'silent destroyers', termites chew their way through wood and flooring - causing more than $15 billion of damage every year.
And this is all the more alarming as damage not always covered by homeowners' insurance policies, according toPestWorld.
There are approximately45 different kinds of termites found in the country, which fall into three categories: subterranean, drywood and dampwood.
Each have their own biology and behavior, including where they build their nest, are most likely found, and what state they are most prevalent in.
But typically the creatures tend to be found in moist and warm places, with peak season usually during the spring and summer months.
Here experts share their top tips to help keep your home safe.
A pest control specialist is seen spraying the outdoor of a home
Termites are also found in the cupboards and underneath the sink
Termites are so small that they cannot always be seen by the human eye.
Hotbed areas tend to include attics, basem*nts, crawl spaces, cracks or holes in any walls. They are also often found in cardboard boxes and shopping bags, electrical wiring, underneath sinks, and cupboards.
The most destructive are subterranean termites. Approximately one-eight in length and dark brown or black in color, these critters build tunnels, and their saw-toothed jaws make it easy to chew through wood.
Over time they can completely destroy a home's structure and are found in every state in the United States exceptAlaska. These termites are typically the most studied and reported.
Drywood termites, on the other hand, have wings and are about one-inch long, white or brown. They can be found in a home's structure but mostly feast on furniture, picture frames, and banisters.
These are prevalent in the West Coast,Florida, and Hawaii, but have been known to surface in the Carolinas and Texas.
Dampwood termites are drawn to moisture and as the name suggests usually crop up in damp areas. They are larger in size than their counterparts, and are found mostly in the pacific coastal and adjacent states, the desert or semi-arid southwest and southern Florida.
The winged varieties, known as swarmers, are the reproductive member of a termite colony, and experts explain that when those surface it usually means there is an infestation.
There are approximately 45 different kinds of termites found in the country, but fall under three distinct categories - subterranean termites, drywood termites and dampwood termites
To help homeowners remain vigilant, pest control specialists have shared useful tips.
These include sealing up cracks or crevices with caulk or foam sealant - particularly at entry points in the home.
You are also advised to keep wood away from the soil, with any wooden siding or door frames placed above the ground.
Signs of damaged or hollow wood, bubbling paint, stuck doors or windows can be a tell-tale sign termites have entered your abode.
Borat is a low-toxic chemical that preserves and protects wood, and can act as a barrier to prevent or minimize termites.
Additional ways to ward off these critters is to keep the home's foundation dry, and check for leaks. Downspouts should be directed away from the foundation.
Homeowners are advised to avoid stacking firewood against the house, and covering any wooden supplies that need to remain outside.
Cleaning up after doing yardwork and gardening is also key.
Mulch, a layer of material that is added to soil, is also a place termites like to live, so experts say stone or gravel may be a better choice when it comes to landscaping.
They also recommend keeping the grass on the lawn short and moving any shrubs, vines, stumps or roots away from the home's exterior wall and foundation tominimize future termite infestations.
A close-up of the termites gathering on a slab of wood
Experts recommend keeping the grass short, and moving any shrubs away from the home's exterior wall which can minimize any future termite infestation
Some experts explain that not all termite infestations are equal, so calling in a specialist may be warranted depending on the severity of the damage.
After an assessment, an expert may treat the termites with a series of techniques including, baiting, soil and barrier treatments, and fumigation.
In Louisiana, Adam Howington, owner of Parish Pest Control, told BRProudhe is seeing a lot offormosan termites.These colonies produceswarms of winged males and females called reproductive.
Reproductive termites are critical for keeping the termite colony producing, and without them it will eventually collapse.
He told the news outlet thathomes are either termite magnets or not, and certain items attract them. It can be as simple as a leaky faucet or moisture building up outside the home's exterior.
'It's attractive for termites because all they really need is wood, water and shelter and they're ready to roll,' Howington said.
