Subterranean Termites | Prevention Strategies To Protect Your Home
Subterranean termites are a type of termite that live underground and are responsible for significant damage to homes and other structures. These termites feed on wood, weakening your home’s structural integrity over time.
Subterranean termites are destructive and can cause costly damage to your home. Left unchecked, these pests can quickly turn your dream home into a nightmare of expensive repairs. Fortunately, are preventative strategies you can use to protect your property from subterranean termites.
The Spring Swarm: When Subterranean Termites Take Flight
Subterranean termites typically emerge in the spring, usually after rainfall. This is when the winged reproductive termites leave their underground colonies to mate and establish new large colonies. These swarms of termites can be quite large and a sign of a significant infestation. It’s essential to contact a professional pest control company if you notice swarms of winged termites around your home, as this could be a sign of a subterranean termite infestation.
Prevention Strategies for Subterranean Termites
Preventing subterranean termite infestation is crucial in protecting your home from damage.
Here are some tips for avoiding infestations:
- Keep wood piles away from your home
- Fix any leaks or moisture problems in your home
- Use a dehumidifier in damp areas of your home
- Keep gutters clean and free of debris
- Seal cracks and openings around your home’s foundation
These tiny insects live in underground colonies near moisture sources, such as moist soil or decaying wood. And they’re capable of causing extensive damage to homes, businesses, and other structures. Fortunately, there are strategies homeowners can take to help protect their properties from termite infestation.
One critical preventative measure against subterranean termites is to eliminate sources of moisture they could use as a food source. Such sources may include leaky pipes, clogged gutters, and foundation cracks. Fixing these problems can help reduce the chances of an infestation.
For example, leaking pipes near the home could provide an ideal environment for subterranean termites to feed on. Keeping the area around your house clear of deadwood or other organic material that can attract and sustain a termite colony is also essential. This includes fallen branches from trees, decaying wood, and any other items that may be a food source for the termites.
Finally, homeowners can inspect their property regularly to look for signs of an infestation. These include mud tubes on the walls or foundation of the house as well as swarms of winged termites around windows and doors. If you spot any of these warning signs, you should contact a reputable pest control specialist.
How to identify Subterranean Termites
Identifying subterranean termites is essential for proper pest control measures, so knowing what signs and symptoms to look for is important. Trees are a significant food source and shelter for many species, including Subterranean Termites. Identifying whether these destructive species have infested your trees can be difficult, as the symptoms may not always be immediately visible. However, with careful observation, it is possible to identify Subterranean Termites in trees.
The first sign of a Subterranean Termite infestation is termite tubes, which they use to travel between the ground and tree branches or trunks. These tubes are made of soil and can be found on the bark or around tree roots. In addition, you should also look for swarmer, the reproductive termites that fly from their underground colonies to new ones.
Another sign of subterranean termites is damage to wood. The insects use their jaws to chew through wood and other materials, leaving behind a distinctive pattern of small holes and ridges in the wood’s surface. In some cases, you can also see mud-like pellets inside the tunnels created by the termites.
It’s important to take measures to protect your property against Subterranean Termites. Several methods exist, such as termite baits and treatments targeting the colonies directly. Applying a chemical barrier like liquid termiticide around your house’s perimeter can also effectively prevent an infestation.
Additionally, you should keep your home free of water standing, reduce excess moisture and ensure there are no damaged or rotting wood components in your home that could serve as food sources for the termites.
Finally, keep vegetation and mulch away from the base of your house, as this can create a bridge for the termites to access your home.
If you notice any of these signs, it’s essential to contact a professional pest control company immediately.
Facts You Need to Know
- Subterranean termites can be found in almost every state in the United States.
- They are the most common type of termite in North America and cause the most damage to homes and other structures.
- Subterranean termites live in large underground colonies, with some containing millions of individuals.
- They build mud tubes that allow them to travel above ground to reach wood sources.
- Subterranean termites feed on cellulose found in wood and other plant-based materials.
- They can cause significant damage to homes and other structures, often going undetected for long periods.
- The winged reproductive termites emerge in the spring and summer, swarming to mate and establish new colonies.
- Professional pest control services are the most effective way to eliminate subterranean termite infestations and prevent future damage to your home.
Professional Pest Control Services for Subterranean Termites
Subterranean termites can cause significant damage to your home, but with the proper prevention measures and professional pest control services, you can protect your home from these destructive pests. Don’t wait until it’s too late.
Professional pest control services are the most effective way to protect your home from subterranean termite infestation. A pest control professional will thoroughly inspect your home to identify any signs of infestation and develop a customized treatment plan to eliminate the termites and prevent future infestations.
Get Professional Assistance
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