There are and then there is the subterranean termite. Just think for a second. How much do you really know about these invasive and problematic insects? You might know that they are destructive and that they regularly invade homes. This only scratches the surface of information you should have. To help you better understand the subterranean , here is a comprehensive breakdown for you to use.
Subterranean Termites Live Underground
Subterranean termites live underground. This is crucial to . Why? Because it shows how difficult they are to identify. When subterranean termite nests are built around properties they exist under the radar. Even worse than this, when these pests look for ways to invade homes, they try to find the least noticeable way possible, looking for places where exterior soil directly touches structural wood, finding gaps and cracks that run up foundations, and when no other options are available, building discrete mud tubes to cross gaps between the ground and wood higher up.
Subterranean Termites Never Sleep
Most pests have abnormal or strange sleeping patterns. Very few never sleep. Termites are one of these pests. Not requiring rest, these invasive insects are able to work constantly to guard their colony, reproduce, and harvest wood. This is just one of many reasons that make the subterranean termite more destructive than other wood-damaging pests around the world.
Subterranean Termites Are Picky Eaters
One thing many people do not know about subterranean termites is that they typically only consume wood that is softened by water damage, rot, or decay. When inspecting the exterior of a home, these hungry pests will look for sections of structural wood that have been negatively affected by things like broken gutters, water build-up, fungal growth, mold, and other common decaying organisms. Subterranean termites do not, however, require all of your home’s wood to be soft. Once inside, these pests carry moisture with them, softening wood as they go and causing moisture-related damage in the process.
Subterranean Termites Are Preventable
Just because the subterranean termite is hard to identify does not mean it is not preventable. If you are looking for a way to , here are a few helpful prevention tips our experts recommend you try.
- Repair and replace structural wood around your home and outbuildings that are negatively affected by rot, water-damage, and/or decay.
- Eliminate sources of standing water around your home, especially ones that might affect its structural wood.
- Make sure your gutters are clean, damage-free, and flowing properly.
- Remove piles of leaves, sticks, newspapers, wet cardboard, old wooden furniture, and other wood-based items from your property.
- Store firewood and untreated lumber a good distance away from your home’s exterior.
- Seal gaps and cracks that run up your home’s exterior foundation.
- Make sure there is a non-wood barrier between exterior soil and your home’s structural wood.
- Avoid using wood-based mulch on your property.
Why Every Chandler Homeowner Needs To Invest In Professional Termite Control
The biggest problem with trying to handle termites on your own is that it is nearly impossible to know if what you are doing is working. To ensure these pests stay off your property and out of your home’s structural wood, your best bet is to contact the experts at Green Home Pest Control. We have invested the time, energy, and money into our craft and have the advanced strategies and industrial-grade pest control products needed to year-round. All you have to do is give us a shot.
