First thought … Gross!

Even the name “termite” seems to invoke an itchy, creepy feeling on the skin. Termites can be creepy and destructive to property but what else is there to know about these isopteras — a type of insect. Once called the “white ant” or “woodworm,” termites deserve their own place in the world, you just may not want them inside your home. After all, they are destructive!

Commonly found throughout North America, termites have probably taken a bite out of something near you. In fact, termites and similar pest can cause up to $30 billion worth of damages annually. They are most active in the warmer months of the year, and depending on what type of termite, may be drawn to dry or wet climates.

So why do termites get a bad wrap in North America? And why do these myths need to be debunked?

5 MYTHS ABOUT TERMITES:

• All termites eat homes and structures. False! There are over 2,750 species of termites, however, only about 10% of those have been reported as a “pest”. Depending on one’s location, there could be several different species of termites found in the area, though it’s not always all of them that want to eat the house from the inside out.
• Termites are the same as ants, aside from their diet. False! Termites are more closely related to cockroaches than they are to ants. Just like their cousin cockroaches, a species of termite has been crawling/flying on the Earth since around the Jurassic period.