5 Key Facts About Termites &  Infestations In Jamaica

1. Termites are one of the most common household pests

Termites are said to be one of the most common household pests affecting multiple Jamaican households and communities. This means that ALL HOMES should have a pest control plan that addresses termites and helps to eliminate the spread of these colonies. 

2. A home that is pretreated for termites can be infested as early as 2 years after treatment

While pretreatments for termites will protect your home, the length of time that they remain effective may vary. The termiticide that is used will degrade over time, and barriers created to thwart the spread of termites can be rendered ineffective because of physical changes that may occur gradually.  On average pretreatments may last between 2 – 5 years. Other factors may impact the longevity of any termite pretreatment including, but not limited to, the type of treatment used and the moisture levels of the surrounding area.

3. Many Jamaican homeowners neglect continued termite treatments

Despite the abundance of termites in Jamaica, pest control companies have observed that many homeowners do not schedule termite treatments at the recommended intervals. 

4. Your favourite fruit tree could be a breeding ground for termites

Trees and shrubs can be a breeding ground for termites. Although most termites typically prefer dead wood, there are some termites that will colonize live plants. Termites tend to gravitate towards some trees more than others including palm trees, fruit trees like mango trees, coniferous trees and dead or rotting trees.

5. Termites and flying ants are often confused with each other

Termites may be confused with flying ants, however there are a few distinctions. Ants have longer front wings than back wings with antennae that are bent at a ninety degree angle. Termites have wings that are about the same size in length and their antennae are typically straight though they may droop slightly.