Termite control
Abstract
"Subterranean termites are the most destructive wood feeding insects in Missouri. They feed on cellulose, which is usually obtained from wood. The wood may be in the form of a dead tree or the wood in a house. They will also feed upon posts, paper, books and fabrics of plant origin. The damage to buildings is in the reduced structural strength of the wood caused by the removal of part of the tissue. In addition to wood for food, termites require moisture. Wood in contact with soil, then, is ideal for termite development. Infestations develop in soil, and the termites enter structures through structural wood or foundation walls adjacent to the soil. In cases of structures built partly or completely on concrete slabs, infestation is through expansion joints, cracks and utility and sewer openings. The basic principle of termite control is to break the connection between wood and soil."--First page.
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Archive version. For the most recent information see extension.missouri.edu.
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Provided for historical documentation only. Check Missouri Extension and Agricultural Experiment Station websites for current information.