Stop Termite Infestations Before They Start

Termites, it’s a subject a lot of people don’t even like to think about. Those pale little winged pests are the last thing you need crawling through your thoughts when you’re enjoying time off at your home. You’ve put a lot of effort and care into maintaining your lawn and your home, and along comes this strange invader who can be lurking in the nooks and crannies of your property, a sophisticated super-organism, with a complex social hierarchy, and a 250 million year head start. Fortunately, a little knowledge about them now can provide a lasting peace of mind for the future.

What Are Termites?

Termites are one of the most destructive and insidious pests you’re likely to encounter. They cause structural damage to homes that is expensive and difficult to repair. By the time termite damage becomes apparent, it has already become a huge problem.

Often, termites are mistaken for flying ants. At a glance they have a similar appearance, but don’t be fooled. Up close (eww, gross) you can tell that termites have straight antennae and four evenly sized wings.

Termites break down the cellulose in wood and use it as their food source. They can occupy dead trees and root systems around your property. They thrive in wood debris and do the most severe damage when they get into your home.

To the untrained eye, signs of termite damage in the wood of your home can resemble that of other less destructive insects. Look for deposits around suspected termite holes. They will leave behind a sawdust like byproduct of their digestion, called frass. Yeah, it’s basically termite poop.

What Kinds of Termites Are There?

There are three types of termites, making up 45 different species. In Florida there are native and invasive variations and discussed here. The main types are Subterranean, Drywood, and Dampwood termites. Generally, the larger ones of the soldier caste will have pinchy mandibles which distinguish them from their worker counterparts, and the smaller nymphs will resemble most other insect larvae. They can be detected in swarms near their food source.
  • Subterranean termites, as the name suggests, live underground in the soil. They move along through tubes constructed in mud, and these structures can be seen connecting termite colonies in the soil, to sensitive timbers at the foundation of a home. Because of the size of subterranean termite swarms (they have the largest nests of any insect) these are the most common cause of termite damage in America.
  • Drywood termites live in the wood and eat it from the inside out. They will colonize fallen trees and love to get into the structural wood and hardwood floors of your home.
  • Dampwood termites are the least likely to end up in man-made structures as they commonly occupy wetter environments.

How Can I Protect My House?

It’s a good idea to have a termite inspection done once per year. Even if your home passed a termite inspection before, it is only a matter of time before termites outside your house find their way inside.

Pretreating new construction is one of the best ways to manage the threat right from the start. This is accomplished through our Borate Treatments. By treating lumber during the construction phase you receive 15 years of protection. Building a new house? Click here to get more information on having your house protected.

If you suspect termites might be on your property, don’t wait until you start seeing damage. It’s never too early to take steps to prevent termites from ruining your investments. Click here to request information on our termite monitoring program. We are professionals and can track them and get rid of them before they cause any damage!

Getting rid of a termite infestation can get pretty involved and costly. It’s best to avoid the problem in the first place if you can. It’s less expensive and much more effective to stop an infestation before it starts. If you do suspect termite damage, time is of the essence. Give us a call or complete this form on this page and we will inspect your home and give you the custom plan designed for your house to remove the termites and prevent additional damage.

Call today, or complete this form and and let us work on a preventative plan that provides the best protection for you!

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