People are not built to live off of things like wood, sticks, and leaves. We need a much different diet to remain healthy and happy. Termites, on the other hand, are more than happy to nibble on these things. If you have not heard about these pests or considered why they might be a problem inside your home, we would like to share some things with you today. Here is what you need to know about the different types of termites in Tucson and how to deal with these pests before they become a problem on your property. Contact our team at Green Home Pest Control to discover more about our advanced termite control offerings. We also have many other amazing options for pest control in Tucson. Just let us know what you need and we will find a solution that will best handle the pest problems you are facing inside and around your home.
You’re Not Likely To See A Termite: How To Identify Signs Of Activity
When you walk around your home, do you see termites crawling around? Probably not. In fact, you are more likely to see a raccoon actively crawling around inside your home than you are to see these pests out in the open. This is unless termites have wings. In this case, they are able to survive just under an hour in the open air before they have to seek shelter underground or inside a structure of wood. All of this is because termites need moisture. This is especially true for subterranean termites, the most common species in Tucson. These local insects spend almost the entirety of their lives underground or inside a structure of wood. This helps them to keep their bodies moist and prevents them from drying out. Keeping all of this in mind, identifying an active termite infestation in your home can be difficult. Often the first signs of termites do not show up until months, or over a year of activity. The only two signs that might show up before this point are mud tubes and swarmers. Mud tubes are pencil-width tunnels that termites use to bridge the gap between external soil and the wood of homes. Swarmers are winged reproductive members that are tasked with finding new places to build nests. Seeing swarmers outside your home can be a sign of a looming infestation. Finding these bugs indoors means that a severe infestation is underway.
If termites have been in your home for a long time, you will start to notice more clear signs of infestation. Here are a few of the most common clues these pests might leave behind.
Moisture spots on floors, walls, and ceilings
Sections of floors that squeak
Windows and doors that are becoming harder and harder to open
Peeling or bubbling paint or wallpaper
Small, pin-sized holes inside structural wood around your home
Wood that sounds hollow when you tap on it
The absolute best form of termite identification lies with professional help. Our team at Green Home Pest Control is here if you would like to know for certain if your home has an active infestation. All you have to do is give us a call.
From Bad To Worse: How Termite Damage Can Escalate Quickly
A single termite cannot destroy your home. Even when thousands of these bugs are eating through your property, the damage they cause will take time to become noticeable. That said, there are two big reasons why termites are able to severely damage properties. First, they are quiet. These bugs invade silently and do their best to stay out of sight. They often start with foundational supports only visible in crawlspaces and other hard-to-reach areas. They then work their way upwards to floors, support beams, and other interior structures. By the time damage becomes noticeable, it will be moderate to severe. The second reason termites are so problematic is that they have no problem sharing a meal. If a colony splits in your yard, the new satellite nest is likely to turn back and start to consume your home from a different angle. This can happen multiple times and drastically increase the rate at which your property is damaged.
Although termites can cause extensive damage to homes over time, the damage they do may not seem severe for a while. This is because of where it is located. Oftentimes, homeowners will start to notice signs of damage before they actually see swelling, visible galley ways, or other distinctive indications of a problem. Just because you cannot see a visible problem, however, doesn’t mean there isn’t one. One thing you need to consider is that termite damage left unaddressed is a fast way to invite more termites into your home in the future. If you invest in termite control, do not neglect to have your home repaired.
Understanding The Termite Threat: Why Termites Infest Homes
It is not always easy to know why termites invade homes here in Tucson. The truth is, it doesn’t take much to encourage these pests to come indoors. Most often, infestations start outdoors when these bugs find something tasty to eat on your property. Most termites love nibbling on anything that contains cellulose. This includes sticks, leaf piles, fallen trees, dead stumps, cardboard, newspaper, paper, and even things like abandoned wasp nests. It is good to note that subterranean termites prefer wood sources that are wet or decaying. Wood or wood-based items that are wet are softer and easier to digest. If a colony of termites finds something tasty to eat around your yard, it is only a matter of time before they take a look at your home for food options. They will start by crawling around its base. While doing this they will look for sections of wood that directly touch exterior soil. Sections like these are much more susceptible to moisture damage and do not require the creation of mud tubes to gain access. On occasion, termites will infest outbuildings before they ever think about invading homes. If you have an old shed on your property these pests will not hesitate to chew it to pieces. The same is true for old wooden playground equipment.
Something that you need to keep in mind about termites is their love for moisture. If there are factors on your property that lead to moisture build-up, especially ones that negatively affect your home’s wood, you will be much more likely to have trouble with these pests. Common moisture problem creators include rainwater build-up, broken or clogged gutters, leaky piping, dripping fixtures, and high humidity indoors. If you want to reduce your chances of finding termites inside your home, you need to address as many of these issues as possible. We also recommend removing all cellulose-based items from your property and repairing wood inside your home that is water-damaged. It is good to note that doing these things will do nothing to get rid of the termites already inside your home and outbuildings. To address these pests you have to consider the benefits of professional control services. Our team at Green Home Pest Control has comprehensive options to handle these destructive insects. Take some time now to consider what our treatments could do for your and your property and think about making an appointment for your Tucson property.
Professional Termite Control: Long-Term Termite Control And Protection
Trying to find a reliable way to eliminate and prevent termites can be difficult. One thing we recommend is finding a local pest control company that is experienced with controlling these destructive insects. While you are here today, consider our team at Green Home Pest Control. We are a dedicated local provider that cares deeply for our customers. To stop termites around your property we will use an advanced bait system called Trelona® ATBS Advance® Termite Baiting System. Trelona® ATBS stations are designed to attract termites with tasty treats. These tasty treats are collected by hungry workers and brought back to local colonies, eliminating all active members. This process is not just great for taking care of existing infestations but is a great shield to stop all future invasions. All you need from us are some scheduled visits so we can maintain this system year-round to make sure it is functioning optimally.
All of our termite control comes with a service guarantee. If termites invade your home during the warranty period, we will return and retreat your property at no extra cost to you. This doesn’t happen often, but we like to have this in place so you know we will go above and beyond to ensure your property’s safety. The only thing left for you to do today is reach out to our dedicated team. We will answer questions you might have about our termite control and help you make an appointment for your Tucson home and property.
Call Green Home Pest Control to start a dialog about the termites in Tucson and find out how good life is without these terrible pests.
