The Best Way To Protect Your Spring Property From Termites
Despite their tiny frames and unintimidating appearances, the humble termite is one of the most dangerous pests in southwestern America. These insects rarely measure more than 1/2 inch long at maturity and are pest prey creatures for several large animals. With so many elements stacked against them, it's surprising that such a small creature could create such widespread chaos around the world. In this case, the truth is stranger than fiction.
There are three significant termite species found in the United States: the drywood termite, the dampwood termite, and the subterranean termite. Here in Spring, TX, where the weather is mild and the humidity level is high, the Eastern subterranean termite is perhaps the most common species. Below are a few of their most easily identifiable features:
Termites have oblong bodies with no apparent transition between parts.
Termites often appear in color palettes of yellow, white, or cream.
Termites do not have wings, except for sexually mature alates that appear once a year.
As eusocial insects, termites create large families of 60,000 to 150,000 members that work together to protect and feed the colony. However, this is not a cut-and-dry number. One of the largest termite colonies in the world topped out at over 200 million members, covering an area as large as Britain.
Interestingly, termites do not require rest, breaks, or even sleep to survive. These creatures prefer to remain in motion throughout their entire lifespan, and rarely if ever, can be found standing still. This allows them to contribute a large amount of food and water to their colony before they expire, which is usually a time frame between one or two years.
Termites are classified as wood-eating insects, meaning that they physically consume wood to survive. This is very different from pests such as powderpost beetles and carpenter ants, who only use wood as a nesting place. Termites break down the cellulose within untreated wood, using it to feed their soldiers, queen, and growing larvae. As you might imagine, this can lead to many problems for home and business owners alike.
But termites aren't just destructive pests. They are surprisingly beneficial to the environment. Termites break down rotten wood and other fallen substances to create new places for plants to grow. Like vultures, they eliminate waste to keep the Earth clean and healthy. Additionally, termites are considered to be a delicacy in many parts of the world. Fried with spices or dipped in chocolate, they make for a midafternoon snack in India, Asia, and South America.
Despite these many beneficial impacts, termites can and will cause problems when infesting human habitations. Their innate ability to destroy wooden objects and structural supports should not be taken lightly and requires treatment as soon as possible.
The True Dangers Of Termite Infestations Near Spring, TX
Recent statistics suggest that termite infestations cost more than $5 billion a year to global households. These pests aren’t just eating wooden objects; they are destroying them.
Thankfully, termites are not known to spread any form of communicable illness. Although soldier termites can pinch humans when threatened, this is not likely to break the skin. Termite activity is not physically harmful to the human body. However, their impacts can be felt in other, less tangible ways.
Because termites do not need to sleep, they can consume wood virtually 27/7. This allows them to consume as much as a 2 x 4 plank of wood each year. Unless they are stopped, the wood in your home will become increasingly weakened and saggy.
As termites rip away at the wood in your home, secondary issues may also become evident. This includes the heightened growth of mold and mildew as spores are released into the air. Fungal growth has been known to spike allergic reactions in some victims, as well as rashes or other skin concerns. Molds and mildews will continue to multiply unless treated and spread from place to place by the unwitting termite colony.
One of the most significant and most concerning aspects of termites is their quiet behavior. Because these creatures do not make any noise, they are extremely hard to locate or track down. This allows small colonies of a few hundred termites to grow into thousands within a few months. Areas of termite damage may not be coupled with the physical signs of termites. Unless you can find mud tunnels or frass piles nearby, it will be all but impossible to find these pests without infrared technology.
Because termites are located deep inside the walls of your home, they are not as easy to eliminate as other pests. These creatures require long-term, slow-releasing treatments that take several visitations to actualize. For this reason, potential termite infestations should be addressed as quickly as possible.
How To Tell If Your Spring Property Has A Termite Problem
Thanks to their quiet behaviors and sneaky natures, termite activity can go unnoticed for some time. Contrary to popular belief, annual inspections are an essential aspect of protecting your Spring, Texas home. If you have never engaged in a termite inspection before or are unsure where to begin, starting with some common signs of termite trouble could make sense.
One of the first and most obvious signs of a termite infestation includes fine sawdust piles known as frass. Frass is made up of small wooden pellets excreted by termites as they bore into wood. Frass is often located around the floors or baseboards of the home and may be perfectly stacked into small, cylindrical piles. If you are noticing bits of sawdust or other wood shavings while sweeping your floors, you may need to entertain the possibility of a termite infestation.
Another common sign of a termite problem is the appearance of mud tunnels. These hollow, crumbly tubes may be found running along the walls, floors, or ceiling of your home. These are often built near dark and quiet places, such as basements or crawlspaces. Termites use mud tunnels to travel to food sources (including the wood in your home) without being detected. Discovering a network of tubes anywhere near your home may be a sign of problems to come.
During large-scale termite infestations, some home and business owners may start notching tight-fitting doors and windows around the property. This is due to a loss of structure within the walls of the home, which puts undue pressure on doors and windows. This may be a serious cause for alarm, as doors and windows that appear to be stuck may point toward a very established termite infestation.
Below are a few other common signs and symptoms of a termite infestation:
Spotting winged termites flying in or around the home
Finding shed wings near the doors and windows of the building
Small, discolored circles on drywall that appear to be water damage
Hollow sounding wood when tapped
Floors and ceilings that appear to buckle in the center
Whether or not you know there is an active termite infestation around the property, it is best to get the advice of a seasoned professional. Stopping an infestation today could save you thousands of dollars tomorrow, as well as the unnecessary stress of a dangerous pest situation. However, some homeowners prefer to try – and fail – to remove termite colonies on their own.
All The Ways People Try To Get Rid Of Termite Infestations
Simply put, getting rid of a termite infestation on your own is not a good idea. Not only are these pests challenging to remove even from a professional standpoint, but do-it-yourself (DIY) efforts may put you and your family at a greater risk for problems.
Below are some of the techniques that Spring, TX property owners try (unsuccessfully) to control termites:
Vinegar sprays are known to be quite caustic and are efficient at preventing pests from moving from one place to another. However, vinegar alone is not enough to wipe out an entire colony or even kill a single vector.
Essential oils have been used for decades to keep eusocial insects away from specific food sources. However, these oils have little to no effect on previously established termite infestations.
Over-the-counter (OTC) baits and sprays may be able to eliminate some termite populations around the Spring area. However, it should be noted that many of these treatments are extremely dangerous to humans and pets. Applied incorrectly, these pesticides can have serious adverse health consequences on your family and loved ones. What's more, some of these treatments may cost hundreds of dollars at retail outlets and may take days, if not weeks, to properly apply.
Removing a rooted termite infestation from the home can be extremely difficult. For the residents of Spring, TX, it may feel all but impossible. If you suspect that you are experiencing the side effects of a termite problem, look no further than the professional group at Modern Pest Control. Call today to schedule your first ever termite appointment, or submit a contact form to speak with a representative now.
Terminate Those Termites With Help From Modern Pest Control
Without the right kind of treatment services, termite infestations can go from bad to worse in a number of weeks. Although their colonies may start small, it won't take long before enormous populations wreak havoc throughout your home or business. Support wood will be hollowed out, the structural integrity will be lost, and the value of your home may drop significantly within a span of six months or less. For this reason, among many others, it is vital to rely on a professional termite control company to protect your home from termite activity.
Modern Pest Control is one of the leading providers of termite management in the Spring area. Our team has been applying winning solutions to residential and commercial properties for over 50 years and counting. Backed by decades of quality assurance and ongoing pest control training, we stand at the forefront of innovation for termite treatments and prevention methods.
Once you call to set up your first ever termite appointment, our team will immediately respond with the following three steps:
We will send out a pest professional to perform the first inspection. This technician will come directly to your home to assess any signs of termite activity, as well as any attractant factors that may lead to infestations in the future. If any signs or symptoms are located, Modern Pest Control will begin the treatment process immediately.
Modern Pest Control provides a number of treatment methods for Spring termite species. Each of our techniques will be thoroughly discussed with you before application, allowing you to choose the best possible fit for your lifestyle, values, and comfort level.
Finally, our team will apply and monitor your selected treatment type. If your home continues to experience termite trouble after the fact, we will return to assess the problem in greater detail.
No matter what the internet may tell you, the best way to handle a termite infestation in Texas is with professional assistance. When the time is right for you to inquire about potential prevention or treatment measures, contact Modern Pest Control to schedule an appointment. Still, have some questions? Feel free to get in touch with one of our Spring, Texas operatives. We're looking forward to working with you.