Termites and Humans… Do They Bite?

You probably know that termites can cause major damage to a house, often causing enough damage to a home to compromise its structural integrity before the homeowners even know there are termites in the home. If you have seen pictures of these insects, you have no doubt noticed that they have big, scary-looking jaws that might make you wonder, “Do termites bite?” Termites certainly bite into wood, to access the cellulose inside, and they have even been known to chew through plastic, sheetrock, particle board, and carpet. But do termites bite people? It is highly improbable that you will ever suffer a termite bite.

Termites are not aggressive, they just like to eat wood. Additionally, they build their nests and colonies away from people, either inside wooden structures or underground. This means you are unlikely to get close enough to make them feel threatened, so they really have no reason to interact with you.

Does this mean termite bites cannot ever happen? Actually, although they are unlikely, they are not impossible. If you were to pick up a soldier termite, for example, it might bite you. Because termites have powerful jaws, you would definitely feel a pinch if this happened. However, even though those jaws might look big and scary in pictures, they are actually quite small. They are not likely to cause any serious damage, and termites are not known to transmit diseases.

Further, termites will not bite your pets or any other animals on your property. However, it is important to keep termites off of your property, because the damage they can do to your home is extensive. Take preventive measures, like controlling the moisture around your home, trimming vegetation away from the house, and storing firewood where it will not come into contact with the house. Additionally, have a professional termite inspection each year, so that a termite professional can advise you on your termite risks and how to prevent an infestation.

At MightyMite Termite Services, we’ve earned a reputation as experts in California termite control. We perform termite inspections to ensure that your home is free of termites and work hard to help you keep it that way, using treatments that are naturally derived and have a low impact on the environment. We diagnose and treat infestations with the most effective methods and unmatched warranties, solving your termite problems the first time, with an industry best “no call-back rate.” That, combined with our experience, technology, and highly trained professional staff, makes us the leading extermination company in the Bay Area. We understand that your home is your most important investment, so we work hard to provide excellent service, utilizing best practices to solve our customers’ termite problems. For more information, email Info@mightymitetermite.com, call us today at 408.335.7053, or contact us through our website.