LAS CRUCES —Many homeowners take the proper precautions to avert fire hazards, possible weather damage and decay to their homes. But in the sunny and dry climate of southern New Mexico, is it necessary to take similar precautions to prevent termites?

"We do have several species of termites, close to a half-dozen species in all, or more," said Jim Dye, entomologist and owner of Border Pest Control in Las Cruces.

These species include subterranean varieties such as reticulitermes tibialis, flavipes and hesperus, which build their colonies underground, as well as drywood termites, which nest inside dry wood.

Dye, who has worked in the industry for 35 years, explained that most homes in the area, especially in Mesilla, can become infested by drywood termites. Unlike subterranean termites, drywood termites can infiltrate wood that does not have contact with the ground.

"And those actually can be more damaging than the subterranean termites," Dye said. "There's just a difference in how they chew the wood."

He explained that drywood termites don't make themselves immediately visible. They don't swarm for at least five years and consume wood from the inside out, while subterranean termites begin devouring wood from the outside.

Yet, all termites are attracted to one thing besides wood — moisture.

Is it termite season?

Although termites have the ability to bring down your house, they actually are very delicate and dry insects, according to howstuffworks.com.

"They are very thin-bodied insects and they dry out quickly," Dye said.

Since termites need moisture to survive, even while they are munching on the wood in your home or on your patio, they bring moisture up from the ground to prevent their bodies from drying out.

"They build a shelter tube, which actually protects them from ants and other predators, but also helps to maintain temperature and humidity inside that tube," Dye explained.

Although southern New Mexico is dominated by drier weather, there remains enough moisture for termites to survive, especially in urban areas.

"Termites are pretty much active year around," Dye said. "They need moisture to thrive. But there's moisture everywhere. Even when it doesn't rain we irrigate. There's never a time when termites won't be active."

Where's the termite?

Dye said most home owners spot termite problems during a home repair or renovation, including finding remnants of termites or devoured wood.

"We may find wings. We may find dead insects and moisture tubes. We may even find termites themselves," Dye said.

In Mesilla, where drywood termites are prevalent, people often find tiny pellets that look like seeds. Dye said they are often drywood termite feces.

He said homeowners need to be proactive in preventing termites before they infest your home.

"Bringing in firewood and stacking it against your house is a no-no," Dye said.

He said leaky faucets near your home or in your walls also can invite termites.

"Anything that provides a moisture shadow next to the house will increase incidents of termites," he added.

And moisture is often the first thing that will be checked when getting a termite inspection.

"We're not just inspecting for termites, we're inspecting for conducive conditions," Dye said.

Yet, he added that many people, especially home builders, are taking precautions before they build a home.

"Most of the home builders out there are doing pretreatment for the homes," Dye said.

This can include a soil treatment where a couple hundred gallons of termiticide are sprayed on the ground to create a blanket barrier between the ground and the home, which is what Gary Rogers, owner of Planet Development Company Inc. in Las Cruces, includes with each building project.

Another treatment requires applying a preservative to the lower two feet of the wood in your home.

"When we do that type of treatment we use four gallons, five gallons, as opposed to 200," Dye said.

Both treatments cost about the same price and can range from a $300 to $1,000 depending on the size of the home, Dye added.

Too many termites?

If you discover termites or evidence of termite damage in your home, treatments can cost up to $1,500, Dye said.

"In most cases you don't have to leave (your home) at all, ever," Dye said. "There's no odor, no high toxicity with anything that we use."

Technology on pesticides is getting better, such as using wall foaming, instead of drilling holes in the slab, Dye explained.

"Bayer makes one of the best termiticides out there," he said. "They fine-tuned our materials in such a way that they're extremely low in toxicity and target the anatomy of the insect. They are close to benign to us."

However, he said the way a termiticide is used it just as important as it's toxicity level. He advised that people should search for an experienced professional.

"I recommend someone who is licensed to do termite work, who has had experience for years and has a reputable company," Dye said.

He said affiliation with New Mexico Pest Management Association or National Pest Management Association is a good sign the company is reputable.

Jenn Kistler can be reached at jkistler@lcsun-news.com