Reticulitermes Flavipes (Termite)
Hidden inside wood boats, Termites came across the water landing in Toronto just prior to the 1940s in the area today known as “the beaches”. The Termites have spread mostly North and West of Toronto but can be found in Scarborough, York, North York, Etobicoke, Mississauga, Brampton, Thornhill, Markham, Newmarket, Pickering, Whitby and Oshawa.
Mud Tubes
The Opposing Termite Army: We are out numbered. Just one termite colony can have a population of four to six million including the Queen. Torontonian termites are subterranean (live in the ground) and are silent attackers. Hiding inside the wood, you will rarely see them. The human resistance looks for “signs of termite activity”. The most common give away is the mud tubes. Look for them where wood-to-ground contact exists. Focus on areas where porches meet the foundation walls, planters and wood fences.
Termite Soldiers: These infiltrators are sometimes confused with ants but don’t be fooled. Toronto Termites are the size of a rice grain and slightly off-white in colour. Each colony will attack approximately a small block of homes over a long period of time. So if anyone within your neighbourhood has been attacked you should takes steps to monitor your home and even consider a counter attack. If you want to know if your Toronto neighbourhood is known to have termite activity contact Steven@StevenSilvaTeam.com
Termite Method of Attack: These termites are subterranean termites and build their nests in the ground. They require a highly moist environment in order to survive. In order to move they build mud tubes (also known as “shelter tubes”). These tubes help them to maintain hospitable conditions for exploration and are their supply lines for food.
Subterranean Base: Termite colonies will usually be found at the water table, which may be as deep as 50 feet below the ground.
First line of Termite Defence: Break wood-to-soil contact! Toronto Termites live in the ground and go in and out of your structure. Don’t give them an easy path into your home. Are fences touching your structure? Termites can get into your fence and come over to your home, by-passing chemical and bait termite treatments. Do you keep firewood? Keep it as far away as possible but no closer than a foot from your structure. Wood mulch is good termite food. Do you have wood mulch in your flower beds next to your foundation wall? Replace the mulch with pine straw, rocks or some ground cover plant. Wood steps, wood door frames, porch posts, wooden decks should be kept at least 6 inches away from your structures.
Termite Damage
Our Second Line of Termite Defence: Yearly inspections (or bi-yearly depending on the recommendation of your local Termite Inspector) and, if recommended, a chemical barrier around your foundation.
We cannot kill them. Only control their movements and keep them away from out homes.
Please keep in mind this article was written with an over-dramatic tone. While much of Toronto has termite activity, it is nothing to get overly excited about and is part of regular homeowner maintenance. TIP: Take a wood stake and pound it into the ground somewhere in your yard and leave it there. It should not rot away in a season. Then pull it out and inspect it or have it there for your Termite Inspector to take a look at. It might give you a clue if termites are in your neighbourhood.
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If you are looking for a Toronto Termite Map you may want to read this:
http://stevensilvateam.com/toronto-termite-infestation-map/
Goodwood Park Crescent located in East York is a bad Termite area. If you are looking to buy a house near Goodwood Park Crescent just off Dawes. Look closely at the houses. Many of them have Termites even on the 2nd floor. Look closely at the frame work around garage doors and back decks. I rented a house for one year on Goodwood Park Crescent, and after just a few weeks, I discovered it was crawling with Termites after I had pulled up an area rug on the second floor, left by the previous tenants. The Landlord pleaded ignorance but eventually admitted that they knew about it…Now they want to sell. Buyer beware in the East end near Taylor Creek and Dawes! especially on Goodwood Park Crescent. I Hope this helps anyone who is thinking about buying a home. Don’t get burned, thankfully I was only renting!
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