When you suspect that you have a termite infestation in your home, you really only have one choice: Get rid of the termites. Unfortunately, it will take more than a store-bought spray or trap to remedy this problem. First, explains Jon Nelson of Precision Environmental, a company that is dedicated to environmentally safe pest control, you need to determine what kind of termite you are dealing with and where the problem areas in your home are.
According to Nelson, most termite problems are either caused by one of the different types of termites — subterranean termites or dry wood termites. Here, he thoroughly explains how to tell whether or not you have a subterranean termite problem while also sharing his secret for extinguishing the infestation.
Subterranean termites: These pesky termites have earned the reputation of being the most detrimental wood eating insects in the country. In fact, research by the Texas Agricultural Extension Services, which is a part of the Texas A&M University System and dedicated to educating consumers about the environment, suggests that this kind of termite causes $2 billion in damage every year, which is more than the annual damage caused by fires.
In their natural habitats, subterranean termites are actually useful because they spend their time breaking down wood in forests that would otherwise accumulate. Unfortunately, in a civilized setting, they use their destructive skills to eat away at your home. So, it can be hard to determine if you have a termite problem says Nelson, because it’s possible that they are keeping the activity contained behind wallboards, siding or wood trim where you would never really notice.
Since these types of termites create their colonies in the soil, they have probably entered your home via wood that has had direct contact with the soil, or by entering directly through cracks or joints in and under the foundation of your home. In particular, you should pay close attention to these areas of your home where subterranean termites are likely to congregate:
- The foundation of the house and garage
- Attached porches and patios that connect to the house
- Windows and door frames, especially where your air conditioner or gas pipes may enter your home.
Although it is difficult to spot the signs of an infestation in its early stages, and it could be years before you learn that you have a termite problem, Nelson offers says you can look for the signs of unwelcome guests in your home. First, he says, you may notice termite’s pellets — which look like sawdust — on windowsills or outside your home. Another common sign is the presence of flying termites, called swarmers, in and around your home. In the spring and fall, when the colony gets too large, they will send out these particular termites to locate new sources of wood.
It’s important to know which type of termite you are dealing with because that will determine how you should go about treating the problem. Subterranean termites will not react to heat, so that is out of the question. Instead, Nelson says you have to apply a chemical directly to the tunnels the termites have created. Store-bought solutions, he says, are only topical so while they may serve as good preventive measure, they won’t help you if you already have an infestation. To assure yourself that the problem has been taken care of, contact a pest control company in your area like Precision Environmental who has experience dealing with this type of termite and who will be able to apply the correct chemicals to all the right places.
