What termites are in Knoxville?

Knoxville is a common area for termites due to its favorable climate. Worldwide, there are more than 2,000 types of termites. In the United States, there are about 40.

Here in Knoxville, we deal with just a couple main types:

Eastern Subterranean Termites
Formosan Termites
Drywood Termites

Types of Termites in Knoxville

Here in Tennessee, termites are a common pest problem for homeowners. For the most part, homeowners experience subterranean termite infestations, but there have been reports of two other species in the state as well:

Eastern subterranean termites. As the most common type of termite in the nation, subterranean termites cost property owners the most money from the damage they cause. They are typically smaller than drywood termites and need contact with the soil to survive.
Formosan termites. These termites are aggressive, defensive, and a single colony may contain several million termites in a serious infestation. They are known to not be picky when feeding and can quickly chew their way through many types of wood.
Drywood termites. Just as their name implies, drywood termites do not need contact with soil to survive. They prefer to nest above ground in dryer wood, often in wall supports or roof materials.

What Termite Is Infesting My Home?

For the most part, property owners do not see the termites that are infesting their home. In order to properly identify what type of termite infestation you have, it’s best to enlist the expertise of a professional termite exterminator such as Russell’s Pest Control. A trained technician knows how to look for the signs of termites as well as identify which species you are dealing with.

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