Apr 7, 2023 | Termite Control
Subterranean termites are a frequent problem for homeowners. They are highly destructive insects that can cause extensive damage to your home if left unchecked. It’s critical to act as soon as you suspect an infestation. Let’s break down how to discover a termite infestation and how to handle it.
Identify the Problem
The first step to handling a subterranean termite infestation is to identify the problem. Look for the signs of termite activity, including mud tubes, which are pencil-sized tubes of mud that termites use to travel from their nests to your home; and wings, which termites shed as they establish new colonies. If you find evidence of termites, it’s essential to act quickly.
Inspect Your Home
The next step is to inspect your home thoroughly. Look for any areas that might be open to termite activity, such as wood that is in contact with soil, moisture-damaged wood, and wood that is close to plumbing or heating systems. Pay special attention to the foundation, crawl spaces, and basements, as these are the areas where termites are most likely to enter your home.
Call a Professional
If you suspect you have a termite infestation, it’s important to call a professional pest control company. They have the expertise and equipment to accurately diagnose and treat the problem. A local termite control company can also advise you on the best course of action to prevent future infestations.
Take Preventative Measures
To prevent future termite infestations, you should take a few preventative measures. Keep firewood, piles of leaves, and other organic matter away from your home’s foundation. Ensure proper ventilation in your crawl spaces and basements. Seal any cracks or holes in your foundation and fix any leaks or moisture problems in your home.
If you suspect you have a termite infestation, it’s important to act as soon as possible. With the right help, you can successfully handle a termite infestation and protect your home from further damage. Give your local pest control company a call today for a free termite inspection!
Jan 5, 2023 | Termite Control
The new year has begun and although the weather is chilly now, the luxuries of living in the south typically means that warmer weather appears sooner than later. This means that termite swarming season is just around the corner, with the earliest swarms beginning in February. Let’s break down what to expect this swarming season.
What are Swarming Termites?
Termite swarmers, often mistaken for winged ants, are most active during the spring months, when they fly away from their colony to reproduce. These swarmers are attracted to bright, light areas often seen around doors and windows in homes. Fortunately, they don’t cause wood damage, but seeing a group of them around your property typically means a colony is nearby.
Which Species Do I Need to Lookout For?
The southeastern region of the United States is home to a variety of termites, including the subterranean, drywood, and Formosan species. Subterranean is the most common type of termite found in the southeast. They live underground in colonies that can get up to two million members. They are also known to be found in moist, secluded areas above ground. With their hard, saw-toothed jaws that work like shears, they are known to cause significant damage to properties.
Termite Prevention Tips:
- Eliminate Moisture: Repair leaky faucets, don’t let water pool near foundations, keep gutters clear, and use downspouts to divert water away from your home.
- Maintain Landscape: Don’t let anything touch the exterior surfaces of your home (mulch & woodpiles), removing old tree stumps, and keeping shrubbery and tree limbs trimmed back away from your home.
- Repair Home: Replace broken tiles, shingles, etc. on your roof and exposed beams in attics are a great food source and access point into your home.
If you suspect termite swarming activity or just want to get a step ahead at termite prevention, contact your local pest control company and schedule your free inspection.
Aug 31, 2022 | Florida Pest Control, Termite Control
Miami-Gardens Pest Control: DIY Termite Prevention
Termites are year-round pests, causing structural damage to homes and properties. The Miami-Gardens climate is hot and humid, the perfect conditions for termites. Every homeowner should implement termite control by placing certain preventative measures throughout their property to help avoid a termite infestation.
Reduce Soil-To-Wood Contact
One of the most common termites in the U.S. is the subterranean termite. These termites live in colonies underground and will build mud tubes to reach food above the ground. They will often create contact between wood and soil in crawlspaces or areas underneath your home for an entry point.
Throughout your property, make sure that you keep all lumber, wood, and mulch away from your foundation. If you are utilizing firewood, look to place it at least 20 feet away from your home, raised about 8 inches off the ground and stored in plastic containers with lids. If you have a wood fence near the home, make it a routine to check for rotted or infested wood.
Remove Excess Moisture
Most termite species need moisture to survive, often looking to our homes to find it. To help reduce the risk of termites infesting your home, reduce moisture inside and outside. Check that your gutters and downspouts are pointing away from your foundation. If you’re using a sprinkler, make sure it isn’t spraying on your home. Look inside your home for any plumbing leaks; don’t forget to check your crawlspace for leaks too. Consider investing in crawlspace enclosure, as this will reduce moisture, decrease humidity, prevent mold, avoid wood rot, and prevent termite infestations.
Invest in Annual Termite Inspections
Termites can be hard to spot on your own. These pests can go undetected for long periods, causing significant damage before you realize they’ve been there. Consider reaching out to your local Miami-Gardens pest control company which can perform an annual termite inspection. These professionals can identify signs of termites and take quick action for termite treatments to avoid a full-blown infestation. Even if you don’t suspect you have termites, it’s always a good idea to get ahead of the game when it comes to protecting against termites.
Jul 8, 2022 | Termite Control
Subterranean termites are considered to be the most damaging species of termite of all. These termites can damage the infrastructure of buildings and homes, putting them at risk for catastrophic consequences. Subterranean termites are found in every US state except Alaska.
It can be hard to detect subterranean termites as they eat wood from the inside out, often staying hidden until significant damage is done. They can enter through stucco, slab foundation, or any other hidden area with access to the structure. In order to prevent termites, it’s important to recognize the signs you may have an infestation. Here are 6 signs of subterranean termites:
Swarms
One of the earliest signs of subterranean termites are termite swarms. Termite swarms emerge in the spring or early summer to reproduce and establish new colonies. Seeing a termite swarm indicates the presence of a nearby colony and indicate another colony will be starting up soon, increasing your risk of an infestation inside your home.
Mud Tubes
Mud tubes are another indication of subterranean termites. These are tubes they build to travel back and forth between your home and their nest. They protect them from damage and predators and allow them to accumulate moisture which termites need to survive. Mud tubes are typically about the size of a pencil and can be on walls, ceilings, floors, exterior surfaces, and on the sides of slabs.
Noises
Termites don’t just leave visual clues to their presence – you can also hear them! If a colony is larger and established, you may hear a faint clicking or knocking sound behind your walls or in other voids. The noise is the sound of soldier termites banging their heads against wood or vibrating their bodies to indicate danger is imminent. You can even sometimes hear the worker termites chewing through the wood of your home.
Hollow Wood
During an annual termite inspection, a termite control technician may tap the wooden surfaces of your home. If termite damage is present, you will hear a hollow or paper sound instead of a solid thud when tapped. You can also look for blistering or bubbling paint or other abnormalities in or near wood structures, including window and door trim. Termite damage can often mimic water damage.
Frass
When subterranean termites tunnel through wood, they push debris and waste out behind them through tiny openings. Frass is the name for this waste they excrete. If you notice pin-sized holes with small black marks or dark powdery substance around them, these indicate the presence of kick out holes made by the termites. You may also see piles of sawdust looking material which is the frass.
Wood Damage
Floor, door, and window damage may also indicate a termite infestation. Sagging floors can indicate a well established infestation. Take note of any floors that buckle or sag and have them inspected. Doors and windows are another area that may indicate a problem. When these structures warp or don’t open and close smoothly, it can indicate the presence of termites, as well.
If you have any of these signs of termite damage, contact your local pest control company for a thorough inspection and treatment plan.
Mar 3, 2022 | Termite Control
Swarming termites, also known as alates, are termites with wings that leave their colonies with two purposes in mind: reproducing and establishing a new colony. Alates resemble flying ants and will colonize anywhere with a cellulose source and adequate moisture for survival, making your home the ideal environment for a new colony. While alates don’t bite, sting, or eat wood, they are a good indication that there is a termite colony nearby.
Why Do Termites Swarm?
Once the original termite colony reaches capacity and is ready to expand, termite swarms occur. These usually happen once per year, although some species will swarm multiple times. Swarms can contain anywhere from hundreds to thousands of alates whose sole purpose is reproduction and expansion of the colony. Once environmental conditions are right, the swarmers will launch themselves into the air and pair off. Once they’ve found their partner, both will shed their wings, mate, and find a new place to nest.
When Do Termites Swarm?
The timing of termite swarms depends on the type of termite you are dealing with. Subterranean termites typically swarm in the spring during daylight hours. Drywood termites swarm in late summer and early fall, and dampwood termites swarm over the summer. Termites will swarm once conditions are ideal, usually the day after a rain shower with overcast weather and winds less than 6 mph. Damp soil after a rainstorm also helps with nest building.
Do Termites Swarm Indoors?
If a colony is already established inside your home, termites may swarm inside. These alates will try to squeeze through cracks and crevices in your foundations and walls to reach open air. Alates are also attracted to light so they can often be found near windows and light fixtures.
What Kind of Termites Swarms Are There?
Termite swarms vary depending on what species it is. Drywood termite swarms are usually smaller than other termites with less than 100 swarmers. They will swarm in late summer and fall. Due to the small size of the swarm, you may not see the signs of drywood termites until they are already established. Dampwood termites swarm in the summer months. They are of less concern to homeowners as houses don’t typically have the moisture content necessary for them to survive. They can, however, be found in wood structures surrounding homes, e.g. utility poles. Subterranean termites are the most common and have the largest swarms, sometimes numbering into the thousands. These termites swarm in the spring between March and June.
While swarms don’t necessarily mean you have a termite infestation in your home, they are a good indicator that there is a thriving colony nearby. If you spot swarming termites in or near your home, consider a termite inspection to help identify signs of termites you may have missed and ensure you don’t have a hidden colony eating your home from the inside out.
If you suspect termites, contact a professional pest control company who can give your house a thorough inspection and help with a termite control and prevention plan going forward.
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