Subterranean Termites
Subterranean do more damage to residential homes every year than floods or fire! Identifying subterranean termite infestations and protecting your home involves several steps:
Mud Tubes: Look for pencil-sized mud tubes on exterior walls, foundations, or crawl spaces. These tubes are used by termites to travel between their colony and their food source.
Swarmers: Winged termites, or swarmers, are often seen during the spring. Finding discarded wings near windows or doors is a sign of a nearby colony.
Damaged Wood: Tap on wooden structures to see if they sound hollow. Termites consume wood from the inside out, leaving a thin veneer of wood or paint.
Frass: This is termite droppings and looks like small pellets or sawdust. Finding frass near wooden structures can indicate an infestation.
Blistering Wood: Wood that appears blistered or darkened may be damaged by termites.
Head Banging: Termites bang their heads against wood or shake their bodies when disturbed to signal danger to the colony. You might hear a clicking sound if you have a severe infestation.
How to Protect Your Home Against Termites:
Reduce Moisture: Subterranean termites are attracted to moisture. Fix leaks, ensure proper drainage, and keep gutters clean to reduce moisture around your home.
Remove Food Sources: Keep firewood, lumber, or paper away from foundations or crawl spaces. Remove tree stumps and debris near your home.
Seal Entry Points: Ensure that cracks in the foundation and gaps around utility lines and pipes are sealed.
Use Termite-Resistant Materials: Consider using termite-resistant wood or materials for construction, especially for structures that are in contact with the soil.
Regular Inspections: Have your home inspected annually by a professional pest control service.
Chemical Barriers: Professional pest control services can apply termiticides to the soil around your home, creating a chemical barrier that kills termites trying to enter.
Baiting Systems: Install bait stations around your home. These contain a slow-acting poison that termites take back to their colony, eventually eliminating it.
Physical Barriers: Use physical barriers such as stainless steel mesh or sand barriers during construction to deter termite entry.