Did you know? – A termite infestation can cause thousands of dollars in damage to your structure and wreak havoc on your life. Termites don’t just infest residential homes; they can attack commercial properties too.
Your strongest weapon against a termite infestation is a good preventative. With years of experience and a satisfaction guarantee policy, Preventive Pest Control offers the termite prevention services you need and want.
What you need to know
Every termite is NOT the same. In fact, there are numerous species of termites found throughout the United States. Three of the most common you may encounter include:
- Subterranean – These termites build their colonies underground. These termites need moisture to stay alive. You’ll often find these termites in basements.
- Drywood – This type of termite requires no contact with moisture to survive. Located above ground, you may find these in rotten, dry wood.
- Dampwood – This is another type of termite that requires moisture. However, unlike the subterranean termite, this kind of termite lives above ground. Dampwood termites are the largest of these three categories.
How Termites Spread
Much like ants, termites live in colonies and are highly social insects. The individual insects have specific roles such as workers, soldiers, drones (reproducers) and Queens.
As a colony grows, it will release winged termites – which are called “swarmers.” When these survive out in the wild, they form a new colony. If you have ever seen this it is impressive, if scary.
Termite swarm season occurs in late spring through end of the summer—which can vary depending on the type of termite and the location.
Catching Termites Early
Ideally, you want a termite preventative in place to make sure you do not have any issues with termites. However, whether or not you are utilizing professional termite preventative and treatment, it is vital that you know what to look for regarding an infestation so that you can catch the problem (and begin treatment) early. It’s vital you know both the standard entry points and first signs of an infestation.
Termites Entry Points
- Cracks in the foundation around plumbing
- Expansion points
- Hollow block walls
- Foundation walls and piers
Why Act Now?
Obviously, a swarm of winged termites (often on the ground) is a sign of an infestation. Additionally, another sign is the presence of mud tubes. These straw-like tubes are often a structure or on the ground. They can be an indication that an infestation is present or that the primary outbreak has already passed. Usually, these signs are most common of subterranean termites. Drywood termites, on the other hand, live within the wood and have no soil contact. They also have smaller sizes of colony. Instead, these termites create sand-like fecal pellets. These pellets might fall from the ceiling or furniture. Keeping an eye out for these signs and beginning treatment early is the best way to assure your home is protected.
Signs of an Infestation
If you’ve seen signs of termites, you know you need to act and by acting quickly you can help protect your home and save the structure as much as possible. However, if you haven’t seen signs of a termite infestation, you might think that it is okay to wait or put off treatment for now.
This is NOT the case.
You can save money and avoid stress by beginning a preventative effort today. Termites work 24 hours a day and seven days a week. They will never stop until they have consumed their food—your home or place of business. Signs of a termite infestation may also go undiscovered until it is already too late. The worst part about falling victim to termites is that it can greatly depreciate the value of your home and cost you not only in removing the pests, but cause you to lose money when you go to sell your house too. Whether you are buying or selling a home, the presence of termites can have a significant impact on how well the sale goes.
Preventive Pest Control offers solutions and protections for Termites. Our 9 locations across the Western United States are dedicated to helping you prevent and deal with pest problems—including termites. Our termite professionals are knowledgeable and constantly undergo training in the newest techniques to best serve you and your family. If you would like to learn more about how we can help you, call or contact us today. We look forward to helping you!