Swarms are most likely to occur in the springtime, when newly mature termites are drawn to the light, ready to find a mate and look for a place to start a new colony. How do you know if your house is infested? A temporary swarm of winged insects inside the house or emerging from the soil around your house is one sign. Drywood termites, more rare in the United States, live in the wood they consume and sometimes infest walls and furniture. Dampwood termites live in heavily forested areas because they prefer wet wood. Once inside, they can wreak havoc on the framework of your home, along with any wood flooring, cabinetry, doorways, windows, even furniture. They usually find their way into a home through its foundation. Subterranean termites like the Formosan require food, moisture, shelter, and optimal temperatures to survive - and the conditions around your house may fit the bill nicely. As an example, consider the Formosan subterranean termite: It's native to China and is the most destructive termite species in the United States. Interestingly, termites that aren't native species to an area can cause the most damage away from their natural element, they seek shelter in man-made buildings, causing tremendous damage to houses and furniture. On the other hand, termites can cause costly damage to wooden structures and crops. They measure only around a centimeter in length, but their mouths are capable of tearing off big chunks of food. On the beneficial side, their voracious feeding habits help convert plant cellulose into substances that help support new growth. As an important part of the ecosystem, they feed on dead plants and trees, including wood and plant matter in the soil. Some species of termites have been relocated to parts of the world far away from their native land as stowaways on ships, hidden in the wood of crates, lumber, furniture - even in the structure of the boats themselves.
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