Termites should be given the award for best in giving the "silent treatment". They carry out their activities silently and their works are dangerous. Termites are called "silent destroyers" because of how they chew through woods, flooring and even papers quietly without being spotted. Termites do not have to announce their presence, their mud-tubes do justice to that.  Apparently, these mud tubes are used to protect them from open air and also to gain food supplies.

There are two types of termites commonly encountered by homeowners: The Workers and The Swarmers.

Homeowners usually encounter them a lot and are probably tired!. The Workers are creamy in colour and are not always open to light-- these ones are found in mud-tubes. To give it a try--- break any of the mud-tubes spotted to see how workaholic they are. Swarmers are the reproductive cast of the termite colony. Most times, they are usually mistaken for "flying ants". To identify one, it's wings are always of equal lengths compared to that of an ant. And the wings barely make it through after emergence.

TYPES OF TERMITE

• Subterranean Termites

Subterranean Termites live in underground colonies. They construct different mud-tubes to protect themselves from open air to gain access to food. subterranean termites like to live in the ground.

 This is because these species of termite need a source of moisture to survive. Subterranean termites need a connection to the ground to keep their nest and tunnels humid enough to survive and for material to build tunnels and nests. If there is plenty of moisture available they can build nests above ground.

• Dampwood Termites

Dampwood Termites are larger in size than other termite species. They infest wood with a high moisture content. Unlike other species, Dampwood do not infest Structures because of the low moisture content of wood. Drywood termites leave frass in piles near areas where they are active, while dampwood termites tend to leave it inside their living areas or stuck to the walls of the wood they are eating.

• Drywood Termites

As the name implies, they infest dry wood and do not require contact with soil. This is fascinating, they can infest dead wood that may be around homes. The common sign of a drywood termite infestation is the appearance of frass.

Drywood termites look very similar to their subterranean cousins. For example, both can be found in shades of white and brown and can sometimes be translucent in color.  However, one thing separating the two species is their size as drywood termites tend to be a lot larger than subterranean termites.

• Cone head Termites

These Termites are shaped like Cones, actually. They were originally called tree termites. Unlike most termites, they do not rely on underground tube-making to travel. Instead, they match on the ground like ants, allowing them to spread quickly--Cone head Termites are aggressive in nature. They can cause a major damage in a very short period of time.

How to Prevent Termites

Here are the top methods.

1.    Check for leaks: Subterranean termites can’t live without moisture.

2.    Clean gutters and pipes: Termites love to hide in warm, dark, moist places.

3.    Fill in cracks and crevices: Caulk and seal any unnecessary openings in your foundation where pipes meet the wall, and be sure to seal off windows and doors.

4.    Watch out for wood: Termites are attracted to the cellulose in wood, so it’s vital that you don’t stack firewood against your house or leave tree stumps in your yard. When building your house, always make sure to leave at least 6 inches between your porch, deck, or patio, and the ground, and use termite-resistant wood whenever possible.

5.    Be careful with mulch: Subterranean termites need soil, and certain types of mulch contain wood. Opt for mulch made up of materials like rubber or gravel instead.

6.    Get regular inspections: Of course, the best prevention method is regular termite inspections by a professional pest control company.