There are termites and then there are subterranean termites. This type of termite is the most common type found in the country and they represent bad news for your property. In fact, they are the most destructive pests around because of the amount of property damage they cause.
This termite only grows to 1/2 inch an inch in length and possesses different body colors depending on their role. Workers have cream-colored bodies while swarmers have dark brown or black bodies. Soldier termites boast a creamy white body with a darker head color.
When they invade the home, they make tunnels called mud tubes to reach food sources and keep themselves protected from the open air. Once they've locked onto your property, they'll eat wood 24 hours a day every single day. In time, this translates to extensive property damage that costs thousands of dollars for property owners.
Measuring The Damage
Many homeowners try to deal with the termite infestation on their own instead of contacting a professional termite control company. However, this is a costly mistake since the extent of the damage is often underestimated until it's too late. The damage this termite causes is extensive at best. The reason for this lies in their hard, saw-toothed jaws. The jaws work like shears and can chip off fragments of wood one little piece at a time. Multiply that by the size of the colony, which can have 60,000 workers and be considered a small colony and the problem becomes more obvious. At that many termites, five grams of wood are consumed each day.
In time, this could lead to an entire building collapse. While you might think this is an easily avoided problem, the truth is much grimmer. Termite activity is rarely recognized in the early stages of the infestation. Outside of termite swarming season, most people don't notice the problem for years leading to costly damage before you've even begun to fight the infestation.
Proven Termite Prevention Tips
Despite the potential damage subterranean termites cause, it's still possible to enjoy effective termite prevention. All you have to do is follow these helpful tips we've collected:
- Soil-To Wood Contact: This needs to be reduced to nothing, which means the removal of any source of mulch, plants, lumber, wood, and other similar items from the foundation of your home are critical in its importance.
- Check The Mulch Pile: If you have a mulch pile, you'll want it to be at least four inches away from your home. Also, it's recommended to use a dry mulch type like pine needles for more effective protection.
- Moisture Control: Termites must have moisture nearby to thrive. Regularly checking sites like leaky faucets, storm drains, and other water sources can be the difference between termite infestation and termite prevention.
- Preventative Maintenance: Since termites hide within the wood, it's important to regularly inspect the property and stay on top of any repairs needed. The less you neglect the house itself, the less likely termites will be able to hide from you.
Termite Protection From Quik-Kill Pest Eliminators
If you suspect a termite infestation, the best thing to do is immediately contact the professionals. At Quik-Kill Pest Eliminators, we understand the need to stay on top of a termite infestation, which is why we deliver guaranteed results that fix the problem today and prevent future problems from happening.
Are you in need of termite control services? Then give our experts at Quik-Kill Pest Eliminators a call to speak with one of our agents about our professional termite control options or fill out our online form to schedule your free inspection.