Connecticut may be the “Land of Steady Habits,” but termites are also creatures of habit: They make a habit out of steadily eating you out of house and home. From preventing future infestations to getting rid of current pests, here is everything you need to know about termites in Connecticut.
Are There Termites in Connecticut?
Yes, there are termites in Connecticut. Thanks to Connecticut’s relatively mild winters and warm summers, termites are active pests across the state, including in cities like:
- Greenwich
- Hartford
- New Haven
- Norwich
- Stamford
One Type of Termite in Connecticut
Other states are terrorized by more than one type of termite, but thankfully, property owners in Connecticut have to deal with only one specific type of termite, the eastern subterranean termite.
Eastern Subterranean Termite (Reticulitermes flavipes)
Eastern subterranean termites are the most common species in the U.S. Subterranean termites as a group are active in every state, with the only exception being Alaska.
They are the smallest termites, measuring 1/8 to 3/8 inch long. But don’t let their size fool you! Subterraneans, as a group, are a huge menace, causing the most damage out of any species of termite in the USA.
They live underground, getting their moisture from the soil, and travel above ground by building mud tubes, which can be visible inside and outside your home.
Eastern subterranean termites are crafty little pests, finding their way into the home by burrowing under patios and concrete expansion joints. They are able to slip through cracks and crevices as small as 1/32th of an inch wide, and will travel secretly beneath floor tiles.
Like other types of subterranean termites, they have a three-tiered caste system with workers, soldiers, and swarmers. The workers are the only ones able to digest wood, so they feed the soldiers and other termites by regurgitating their partially digested food.
Signs of Termites in Connecticut
If you think that you have a termite infestation in Connecticut, here are some of the signs to keep an eye out for:
- Mud tubes
- Discarded wings
- Swarmer activity
- Hollow-sounding wood
- Pin holes in the wall
- Sagging or buckling floors
Termites tend to target attics and cellars first before they make their way into the rest of the house, so be sure to check these areas regularly for termite activity.
How to Prevent Termites in Connecticut
Eastern subterranean termites are attracted to warm, humid environments in your home, such as crawlspaces, basements, or attics. It’s best for your home, and your wallet, if you avoid inviting these relentless pests onto your property in the first place, so here are some natural ways to repel termites in Connecticut:
- Store firewood and other cellulose materials above the ground and 30 feet away from your buildings.
- Regularly clean and maintain your gutters.
- Seal cracks in your foundation.
- Reduce moisture in your home by installing a dehumidifier in your attic or crawl space.
- Check for leaky plumbing.
- Remove tree stumps and logs from your yard.
- Install stainless steel screen termite barriers around the foundation of your home. These are used to limit entry points into your home, and can be installed pre-construction and post-construction. They can be installed DIY or professionally.
Note: The best way to prevent termites in your home is to schedule an annual termite inspection with a reliable pest control pro.
How to Get Rid of Termites in Connecticut
If you want to evict these highly destructive pests from your home, here are a few tried and true methods of termite control to consider:
Whole-structure treatments:
- Bait stations, also known as termite traps, contain something tasty that termites like to eat (wood or paper) laced with a slow-acting poison. The workers bring the bait to the colony, spreading it until it eliminates them.
- Liquid termiticides are a treatment that create a chemical barrier around your home’s foundation, killing any termite that passes through.
Localized treatments:
- Borate treatments are made up of a water-soluble salt-like acid that kills wood-boring insects by killing the bacteria in their digestive system, making it so they can’t eat. By spraying or brushing the borate solution over wood, you ensure that termites will not be able to damage it.
- Microwaves are a treatment that uses microwave radiation to eliminate termites in small, controlled spaces by increasing the temperature of the wood.
- Orange oil, if directly applied to wood, can be an effective (though temporary) termite repellent.
Note: Eastern subterranean termites build large underground nests but move above-ground to search for food. For this reason, localized treatments are effective only for the termites that have made their way above-ground.
It’s highly recommended that you consult a termite control pro for effective termite treatment, but if you want to opt for a DIY method, here are some ways to go about DIY termite control in Connecticut:
- Neem oil
- Diatomaceous earth
- Nematodes
Cost of Termite Treatment in Connecticut
The national cost of termite treatment ranges from $275 to $863, so the average homeowner can expect to pay around $558. Termite treatment options in Connecticut cost less than half of the national average.
The average cost of a termite inspection in the United States is $135, ranging between $65 to $265. The cost of a termite inspection in Connecticut varies from company to company, and some will even offer the first initial inspection for free.
FAQ About Termites in Connecticut
Are Drywood Termites in Connecticut?
Yes, but they’re very, very rare. They are not native and aren’t particularly active in the state. It’s possible for them to hitch a ride into the state through lumber or wooden objects, but they do not thrive in Connecticut’s climate.
When Do Termites Swarm in Connecticut?
You will typically see winged eastern subterranean termites swarm from March to June. They prefer to swarm after a rainfall when the ground is moist.
How Fast Do Termites Eat Wood?
It’s hard to determine the exact rate of destruction termites cause since it depends on the size of the colony, but studies have shown that a colony of 60,000 termites can eat 1 foot of a 2-inch by 4-inch piece of wood in 118 to 157 days.
Hire a Pro
If your home is infested by Connecticut’s local termite, let Pest Gnome connect you with a local pest control pro today for termite or other pest issues.
Sources cited:
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Background: DenisTangneyJr / Canva Pro / License
Termites: VincentEOS / Canva Pro / License
