Subterranean termites are a massive problem for Doylestown property owners and those located throughout Pennsylvania and New Jersey. An infestation can wreak havoc on any structure, potentially causing thousands of dollars in damage. When a subterranean termite infestation is suspected, it is wise to contact a professional termite control company.
These social insects live in large colonies that grow bigger with each year that an infestation goes undetected. The colony consists of several castes, each with a different appearance and a specific role to fill. Subterranean termites are capable of occupying a home or other structure for years without being detected. This is how they are able to cause such significant damage.
Subterranean termites live in underground nests and build tunnels that take them to food sources. Their food of choice is dead and decaying wood. In fact, anything that contains cellulose may be consumed in great quantities. This means that they will eat the wooden parts of a building's structure in addition to paper, drywall and plaster.
Termites fulfill a vital role in the natural world by breaking down stumps and fallen trees. Accordingly, property owners who find a colony that is well away from any manmade structure does not necessarily have any reason for concern. As long as the colony has plenty to feed it in a nearby forested area, it is unlikely to forage closer to human habitations.
Property owners can take steps to protect their investment from a termite infestation. Directing rainwater away from the foundation of buildings is an important initial step. Other measures such as refraining from burying old wood near the foundation, storing firewood a minimum of 20 feet away from structures and keeping mulch 15 inches clear of the foundation also are wise. Basements, crawlspaces and attics should be properly vented to reduce humidity.
HOW TO IDENTIFY SUBTERRANEAN TERMITES
It is the creamy-white workers that do most of the damage to wood in homes and offices. Soldiers are distinguished by their yellower heads and enormous jaws. Both workers and soldiers are about a quarter inch long.
The kings, queens and secondaries are the reproductive members of the colony. They are larger at about three-eighths to one-half inch in length. Coloration ranges from dark brown to black. They have a pair of straight antennae and a broad, oval-shaped body. Six legs and two pair of equal length translucent wings that fall off shortly after the spring swarm are other indicators of the termite species.
Frequently, the first sign of a termite infestation is a swarm in the building. Termite swarming typically happens between late February and early March and can last until June in Pennsylvania. Although this may be the first sign that people notice of an infestation, chances are good that the termites have already been occupying the structure for years.
Swarming subterranean termites often are mistaken for flying ants. However, the termites have a wider waist. Ants have a bent segment in their antennae while the antennae of the termite are straight. A professional pest control inspector can determine which species is infesting the structure.
HOW SUBTERRANEAN TERMITES GAIN ENTRY
Generally, subterranean termites enter a structure at or below ground level. They are capable of building extensive mud tubes that allow them to gain access several feet above ground level. The most vulnerable parts of any structure are where wood rests on soil. Additionally, termites can make the most of cracks in the foundation.
HOW TO INSPECT FOR SUBTERRANEAN TERMITES
Property owners may attempt to look for signs of a termite infestation on their own. However, it is easy to miss the signs without the proper training or the right equipment. Every spring, many home and business owners are shocked when they see a termite swarm inside a structure, even though they may carry out routine inspections. It is far less of a hassle to immediately enlist the help of a professional than it is to risk a self-inspection that only rarely reveals a problem.
A licensed, trained inspector may use an awl or similar tool to probe wood that is suspected of being infested.
Combined with a visual inspection, this definitively reveals the presence of termites. A full inspection includes looking for telltale "mud tubes" that termites use to travel without losing moisture or exposing themselves to predators. The inspector continues the search until the extent of the infestation has been identified. Then, a treatment plan can be devised.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY SUBTERRANEAN TERMITES
These pests use their massive, saw-like jaws to eat wood on a 24-hours-a-day basis. With the typical colony consisting of anywhere between 60,000 and one million termites, it is easy to see how a single colony can wreak such havoc. In fact, 95 percent of termite damage on the North American continent is caused by subterranean termites.
This species bores through the support beams and foundations of buildings. Similarly, they eat through insulation and plastic pipes. It seems that there is not much that a termite will not bore through in order to obtain food, which is why the damage can become so extensive. A small, relatively new infestation may not require much structural repair, but infestations that go undetected for years eventually may even cause the collapse of the building.
PROFESSIONAL SUBTERRANEAN TERMITE CONTROL IS THE SOLUTION
Treatment options include liquid and baits. Technicians apply a liquid repellant or termite killer, often called a termiticide, to the soil surrounding the structure. This liquid creates a chemical barrier that deters termites from entering the area while also killing termites that contact it. Some termiticides can be effective for as long as five years.
Baiting involves the use of cardboard or another potential termite food being combined with a poison that kills termites. The food is shared by foraging colony members with termites in the nest, eventually killing the population.
Although an array of termite-control products are available to the public, they are neither as strong nor as effective as those that are used by licensed professionals. Moreover, a trained pest control technician understands the biology and behavior of termites, which will provide a complete solution to any termite issue and property owners to protect their investment and regain their peace of mind.
WHEN WAS YOUR LAST TERMITE INSPECTION?
Industry experts agree that one of the best ways to protect your home or business is to subject the structure to a full termite inspection at least every two to three years.
That’s because termites, often referred to as the “silent destroyers” can go unnoticed until visible damage occurs
Having your Doylestown, PA home or business professionally inspected by a certified termite control technician is the best way to help detect the presence of termites and prevent extensive damage.
