People who own homes and businesses in Yardley juggle many responsibilities. It takes a great deal of work to ensure that these properties are in good condition and receive the repairs that they need.
Some necessary maintenance and repairs are obvious, but others are less so. In particular, the damage that results from a termite infestation can go unnoticed months or perhaps even years before the property owners become aware of it. Catastrophic structural problems can be caused in a shockingly short time, which makes regular termite inspections a vital part of owning real estate.
Unfortunately, many people in the local area do not realize just how common Eastern subterranean termite problems are. The reality is that this is a prevalent species that can attack anything from a brand-new office building to an historic home. Unless termite inspections are being conducted on at least an annual basis, property owners are leaving themselves vulnerable.
Some people put off having termite inspections performed because they think it will be too expensive. They may figure that they can catch the early warning signs of a termite infestation without professional assistance. It may even be possible that they believe that they can handle the problem by themselves.
The reality is that most of the damage that occurs in a termite infestation takes place in basements, crawl spaces, wall voids and attics where it is not visible. Termites eat the wooden components in the building without ceasing until they are stopped by the application of specialized products to which only licensed exterminators have access.
By the time termite damage is seen in the more frequently inhabited portions of the building, it is too late. Damage to the less-visible portions of the structure may be severe, and extensive, costly repairs are essential.
Annual termite inspections can make a world of difference by stopping infestations before they start.
WHAT DO TERMITES LOOK LIKE?
Consisting of one million or more members, the average Eastern subterranean termite colony is divided into three castes: Workers, soldiers and reproductives.
Most of the termites belong to the worker caste. They are only one-eighth of an inch long and are mostly a creamy white color. Their bodies are translucent. Like other insects, each termite has six legs.
As they grow to be larger than the workers and are equipped with an oversized set of pincers, soldiers are adapted to protect the colony from predators. They also may be creamy white or yellow in color, but they can be dark brown as well.
Reproductive termites are males and females, and they are the only colony members that have wings. These wings play an important role in the spring mating ritual, which involves a massive cloud of dark-colored flying insects. Shortly after mating, the wings are shed, and the males die. Females establish new colonies nearby.
WHAT DO TERMITES EAT?
Only one material can meet the nutritional needs of these pests. Fortunately, cellulose is a naturally occurring substance that is found in every plant and tree. Unfortunately, materials that are derived from plants and trees are widely used by people to build and furnish structures. This is why termite infestations are such a common problem around the globe.
Termites find cellulose in rotting tree stumps and wooden decks that are not painted or stained. When they can get into structures, they will consume wooden construction components as well as anything that may contain cellulose. This could include siding, roofing, drywall, textiles, documents, books and furniture.
WHERE DO TERMITES LIVE?
Termites are designed to live in very specific conditions. Accordingly, their underground nests are carefully placed so as to take advantage of ideal humidity levels and proximity to a food source. The uppermost reaches of a termite nest may be just four inches below the ground's surface, but the many tunnels and chambers can extend much deeper. In addition to foraging for food, worker termites are constantly expanding the nest to allow for an exploding population.
Termites like to nest close to a food source such as a fallen tree, a rotting wooden fence or a vulnerable man-made structure. Proximity is crucial because the termites cannot be exposed to the outdoor elements without putting themselves at risk. Thus, they must build a network of mud tunnels that take them from the heart of the nest to their source of food. When people see a maze of such tunnels on the exterior walls or foundation of a building, it is a clear signal that termites are at work.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY TERMITES
With their unceasing appetite for cellulose, termite colonies can be responsible for shocking amounts of damage. Entire support joists can be hollowed out by their determined foraging, causing a building to become unstable. In fact, colonies that contain approximately one million members may eat as many as 15 pounds of cellulose each week. This rapid consumption and the pests' ability to remain hidden underground account for how such widespread damage is common in structures across Yardley.
It is possible to minimize this damage by taking proactive steps. An annual termite inspection is all that is needed to check for the signs of a developing infestation. If termites are not yet present but the technician notices issues that may make a property vulnerable to a future infestation, the technician can recommend repairs and improvements that will head off a problem before it occurs.
By the time termite damage is observed in portions of the building that are regularly occupied by people, chances are good that it is extensive and will be costly to repair. Bubbling or peeling paint, drooping drywall, apparent water damage, squeaky floorboards or stuck windows are a few examples of obvious termite damage.
ARE TERMITES AGGRESSIVE?
Although termites can bite people, this is a rare occurrence. This mainly is because the pests are always underground or foraging for food in dark, out-of-the-way places. The upshot is that termites and people simply do not encounter each other often.
Nonetheless, a person who disturbs a termite nest or interferes with termite workers as they forage for food may receive numerous painful bites. Confrontations with soldiers can be particularly uncomfortable given these termites' oversized pincers.
DO TERMITES CARRY DISEASE?
People are surprised to learn that termites frequently carry around diseases like typhus and polio and have the ability to cause cases of gastroenteritis and dysentery. The good news is that termites and people typically do not come into close enough contact for people to become ill. Still, many people who live or work in infested buildings find that they are more prone to respiratory sicknesses and may experience more severe asthma symptoms. Generally, these complications are caused by exposure to termite waste products.
HOW TO DETECT TERMITES
Signs of a termite infestation include:
• Discoloration on floors, walls and ceilings • Walls that droop or have peeling paint • Tiles on floors and walls have become loose • Uneven or buckling walls and floors • Networks of mud tunnels are discovered on foundations and exterior walls • Springtime brings swarms of dark, winged insects • Piles of shed wings are found next to foundations or in basements
HOW TO PREVENT TERMITES
To help prevent termite issues the following steps should be taken:
• Identify and block access points in building exteriors like cracks and gaps • Install door sweeps • Entirely remove fallen trees and their stumps from the yard • Take measures to keep water from collecting around the building's foundation • Have annual inspections performed by a licensed technician • Eliminate yard debris piles • Keep a distance of 20 feet between buildings and firewood piles
HOW TO TREAT FOR TERMITES
Known as the silent destroyer, termites may be present for months or years before the property's occupants are aware of their presence. This means that a sizable colony will be able to cause considerable damage without people being aware that there is a problem.
Accordingly, it is sensible for property owners across Yardley to hire a reputable pest management company to perform annual or semi-annual inspections that check for termites and other pests. This makes it possible to identify infestations of all types in their early stages, which makes them far easier to eradicate.
In the case of termites, regular inspections may save the homeowner thousands of dollars in repair costs and give them the peace of mind of knowing that they are taking steps to prevent an infestation before it happens.
Termite technicians also provide valuable guidance and advice with regard to preventative measures that property owners can employ to make their buildings less attractive to termites and other pests. The result is safe, hygienic structures that are well-fortified against infestations.
WHEN WAS YOUR LAST TERMITE INSPECTION?
Industry experts agree that the first step in effective termite control is to have your home or business undergo a full termite inspection at least every two to three years.
That is because termites, often referred to as the "silent destroyers" can go unnoticed until visible damage occurs.
Having your Yardley area home or business professionally inspected by a certified technician is the best way to help detect the presence of termites and prevent extensive damage.
