What termites are in Baton Rouge?

Baton Rouge is a hot spot for termites due to its wet, favorable climate. Although there are nearly 2,000 termite species worldwide, just about 40 are in the United States.

Here in Louisiana, we most frequently deal with the following termites:

Eastern Subterranean Termites
Formosan Termites
Drywood Termites

Common Termites in Louisiana

Our climate draws a lot of termite activity. The following three termites are the most troublesome for property owners in and around the Baton Rouge area:

Eastern Subterranean Termites. These termites are the most common in North America, and also 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 the worst cases. They are known to not be picky when feeding and can quickly chew their way through all types of wood.
Drywood Termites. As their name suggests, 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 Type of Termite Do I Have?

Unless you catch sight of swarming termites, you most likely will never see the termites that have infested your home. Properly identifying what type of termite infestation you have will always be left to a professional who has the training and experience to diagnose infestations. If you suspect termites in your home, it will be impossible to determine which species you have without the help of a termite control company such as Dugas Pest Control.

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