Do you have a termite infestation in your San Angelo, Texas home?
There are no other pests as damaging or as costly as termites as far as homeowners are concerned. You’ll need to get rid of these insects quickly because they feed on cellulose, an organic fiber found in wood and plants. Because of this, your house will literally be eaten by them.
We offer a termite management plan to manage and rid your home of these wood-destroying insects. Plans are available from The Bug Guys either as post-treatment options or as standalone preventive measures.
How A Termite Infestation Begins
It is possible for termites to infest your house in two ways; by air or through the ground (assuming they weren’t already there).
Termites that infest dry wood often produce flying termite swarmers from an existing colony of insects. Termite swarmers seek out wooden crevices in your home and shed their wings, carve a nest in the wood, and mate to start a whole new colony of termites.
Additionally, subterranean termites, whose colonies are underground, can infest your home through its foundation. These termites may find a rich new source of food as they forage for food – your home. The most common method for subterranean termites to access wooden parts of a structure is by digging tunnels through foundation walls. In the United States, 95 percent of all damage caused by termites occurs underground.
Signs Of A Termite Infestation
In many cases, by the time homeowners discover an infestation of termites, severe damage has already occurred. This is one of the primary reasons why termites can be so damaging. When finding a termite infestation early, there is a decent chance that it can be treated easily, but if it is caught late, it will be painful and intensive.
In addition to learning to spot the signs of termite infestations, it is important to know how to identify them. Keep a lookout for the following:
- Winged Termite Swarms
You’ll know that the presence of winged termites around or near your home indicates a termite colony nearby if you see winged termites flying around. This species of winged termites tend to swarm around light sources, just as winged ants do. Additionally, they appear rather similar, making it impossible for an untrained eye to distinguish them.
- Discarded Wings Of Swarmers
It is very rare for swarms of termites to keep their wings for very long. The young eagles begin looking for places to build nests after they shed their wings. A termite colony may be emerging near places like window sills or caught in spider webs if there are piles of discarded swarmers’ wings.
- Mud Tubes
A subterranean termite’s mud tubes (also known as foraging tubes or shelter tubes) are the link between the colony and its food source. Amongst the materials used in their construction are soil, debris, and wood, and they act as protection from predators as well as moisture storage. These tubes are found at the foundations or in the substructure of your home if you have a subterranean termite infestation.
- Termite Galleries
In terms of wood degradation, subterranean termites create ‘termite galleries’ as they eat through it. After they burrow through the wood, they leave these empty spaces. There are typically parallel termite galleries running parallel to the wood grain.
- Termite Droppings
- Your home is left with the remains of drywood termites that excrete their feces while they munch through your wood.
They drop pellet-shaped droppings, called frass, that resemble heavy grains of sand or sawdust. You may have drywood termites infesting your home if you see mounds of pest droppings around it.
- Hollow Wood
It is quite insidious how termites eat the inside of your house; that is why they are so brutal. The exterior of a piece of wood might look normal, but the inside might be completely inhabited by termites. Whenever you suspect a termite infestation, try tapping or puncturing the wood in that area to determine whether it’s hollow. It is likely that very extensive damage will already have occurred by the time cracks and fissures begin to appear on the surface.
- Swollen Floors Or Peeling/Bubbling Paint
Moisture and darkness are ideal conditions for termites. The reason they live just under the surface of the wood is that they bring in moisture through their galleries. Wood will often swell when it is exposed to moisture. It is likely that your wooden floors will start to swell if your floors are compromised by termites. Likewise, termites can cause the paint on wooden surfaces to bubble or peel when exposed to moisture, especially if they have eaten through the paint.
Should You Consider Professional Pest Control Services?
If you are considering one of the alternatives to a professional pest control service, then you need to take into consideration your situation and budget.
The Bug Guys are also experts in detecting termite infestations and assessing their severity. It is true that we discussed the indications of an infestation that you can look for on your own, but the experience of the professionals will have a better sense of how severe the infestation is.
How Can You Stop Termites From Coming Back?
A pound of prevention is worth a pound of cure, according to the old saying. The truth bears repeating in this case due to how expensive termite treatments can be. Getting a termite infestation or experiencing a re-infestation is usually accompanied by a few signs. Following are some steps to reduce the probability.
- Clear Their Food Sources: You will not be able to remove every piece of wood within your home, however, you should clean up any wood debris or mulch in and around your house. You should stack firewood at least 20 feet from your house, and if possible, on an elevated surface. If possible, your basement needs to be free of any and all wood-to-soil contact. Make sure that no leaves accumulate in your gutters or drains.
- Reduce Moisture Levels: In order to survive, termites also need water. Roofing, gutters, faucets, etc., should be repaired whenever they are leaking. A higher level of ventilation also means lower moisture levels; dehumidifiers are also an option. Brush should also be removed around your home since it can create pockets of intense moisture, which insects require. Make sure that your house has a proper drainage system and that rainwater is diverted as far away from your home as possible.
- Seal off Access Points: Make sure your foundation is free of cracks and holes.
- Professional Prevention Plan: Termite management plans are available from The Bug Guys either as post-treatment options or as standalone preventive measures.