Are Termites In Houston Harmful To Humans?
If you want to make a homeowner cringe, you simply need to say the word termites. These pesky, home-infesting creatures have been terrorizing Houston homeowners for years, and unfortunately, they aren't stopping anytime soon.
While we all know how hazardous termites can be to the foundation of your home, the question still remains, are termites in Houston harmful to humans?
Let's take a deeper look at these tiny terrors and find out the potential harm to humans.
What Exactly Are Termites?
Termites are small, colonizing insects that feed on wood 24 hours a day. Very similar to ants, termites build a series of complex tunnels to move around to different parts of your home. They feed on the cellulose found in wood but will also munch of plants and drywall as they see fit.
Subterranean termites are the most common in Houston homes and can be found all over the United States. The damp wood and dry wood species are the most common in the southern United States and are prevalent here in the Houston area.
Signs Of Termite Activity
Termites are certainly crafty creatures, but they do tend to leave evidence at the scene of their crimes. Here are a few signs that indicate possible termite activity.
An increase of winged insects in your home or the soil surrounding your home.
Cracked or bubbling paint.
Wood that sounds hollow when you tap on it.
Mud tubes on your exterior walls, crawl spaces, or wooden beams.
Small holes in your drywall.
Other factors can cause most of these issues, but you should still consult a professional to ensure termites aren't the culprits.
Are Termites Harmful To Humans?
While termites are very harmful to your home, they're not particularly dangerous to humans. They do bite, but aren't toxic and they don't carry diseases.
Termites can, however, cause serious allergic reactions. Some people are allergic to the saliva, and droppings termites leave behind. Those with asthma can also be affected by the dust that termite activity and nests bring about.
How To Help Prevent Termites
The best defense against these wood-chomping terrors is proper prevention. Termites are attracted to very specific resources, so by minimizing these resources around your home, your house will have a much smaller chance of becoming a target for their never-ending appetites. Here are a few tips you can follow to help minimize an infestation:
Eliminate moisture issues: Certain species of termites love moisture, making leaks, and standing water near your home very dangerous. Repair leaking faucets and A/C units and clear up any other standing water sources near your home.
Remove potential food sources: Removing food sources is probably the most important step in termite prevention. By eliminating wood sources, you'll greatly decrease the likelihood of termites entering your home. By keeping firewood or lumber away from your house, getting rid of stumps or wooden debris, and making sure the wood on your home isn't in direct contact with the soil, you'll make your house much less accessible to termite invaders.
Team up with pest control professionals: Professional pest control is the single best way to protect your property from these wood-destroying creatures.
How Modern Pest Control Can Help
The potential health and structural hazards an unchecked termite infestation can cause is enough reason to contact the professionals at Modern Pest Control immediately. We have a wealth of knowledge and experience that helps us find and eliminate termites safely and efficiently.
Our monthly pest control service is the perfect way to make sure your Houston home stays termite-free all year round.
Schedule your free inspection today or contact us at (281) 214-8066 for any pest-related questions you have.