For much of the country, discussing termite control is comparable to discussing what to do when lions ride rollercoasters; in other words, abstract and unnecessary. For people in Arizona, however, the concern is real. Since much of the state resides on the most active subterranean termite pathways in North America, it’s nearly inevitable that homeowners encounter the pests. This, combined with the honor of playing host to the drywood termite, means that Arizona contends with an abnormally large number of termites. Specifically, there are an estimated three to five termite colonies per acre of land in the state. Knowing that each colony houses at least 100,000 termites, it’s no wonder that pest control services are highly sought after. Here are four other things that you should know about the critters.
Species of Termites
There are 18 species of termites in Arizona. Fortunately, only several cause problems.
Subterranean
Subterranean termites are by far the most dangerous type of termite. They also happen to be the most common. They need contact with soil to live, and build tunnels to carry food. They eat nearly anything, including fabric, wallpaper, wood and plastic. They can be found anywhere in a house, often attacking the foundation, sub-flooring, beams, insulation and plastic plumbing pipes. They’ve been found in swimming pool filtration systems and liners, and also cause damage to shrubs and trees.
Drywood
Drywood termites are more difficult to detect, though they also cause plenty of damage to houses. Like their name implies, they infest dry wood and can destroy houses as a result.
Signs of Infestation
Termite Swarmers
Termites are often detected by seeing a swarm, or evidence of a recent swarm. On warm days in late spring or early summer, thousands of the pests depart from the nest seeking a mate and a new home. They fly in packs before dropping their wings and settling elsewhere. You may see discarded wings and droppings. Floors may be spongy or blistered, and wood may sound hollow when tapped.
Where to Look
Biannually, take a flashlight and examine your home inside and out. Check out the concrete stem wall of your home, specifically the small section at the bottom. You may find shelter tubes that are thinner than a pencil crawling up the length of your home. If you poke it open, you may see white nymphs. Inside, look along the tops of walls, especially in the corners. Look in the closets and take note of any bubbling in the paint or mud tubes.
Why Choose a Professional
Even the best DIY folks lack equipment and knowledge to eradicate most termites. Professional pest control services have specialized equipment to find and treat colonies; they also have professional grade chemicals that are more effective than choices available at the hardware store. Additionally, many homeowner’s policies don’t cover termite damage, so it’s imperative to tackle the problem fully the first time to avoid costly repairs.
If you’re one of the many homeowners facing a termite infestation in the Phoenix area, call Preventive Pest Control at (480) 269.8811 in the East Valley or (623) 499.3315 in the West Valley. We provide professional Arizona termite extermination services that help protect your investment.