Termites are a common threat and “silent destroyer” that can quickly ruin a building’s structural integrity and leave behind a wake of destruction. It may be tempting to rely on store-bought pest control solutions to deter termites or eradicate them from your property. However, professional pest control in Plano from All-Safe Pest & Termite can provide a formidable form of termite control that gets results fast.
The Life Cycle Of Common Termites
How long do termites live? Termites can live for years (especially if they go undetected in your home), so it’s critical to understand their life cycle.
Check out the following points:
- Queens can live for over a few decades, with some species living up to 50 years.
- Soldier or worker termites usually live an average of 10 to 14 months.
- The lifespan of a termite depends on the species and the caste of the insect.
A termite may take a year to complete its life cycle from an egg to a mature adult. First, mature termites swarm and leave to produce new colonies. The queen leaves eggs, which eventually hatch into larvae.
Gradually, the larvae develop into nymphs, as they molt and transform into workers, soldiers, or support reproductive needs in the colony. Each distinct caste of termite plays a different role and takes on a specific appearance.
Are termites ants? These pests might look similar, but they aren't the same. Termites and ants live in colonies, but termites will consume the wood in which they live and have broader waists. Also, termites are usually light in color, with wider, straighter bodies and antennae that don’t bow.
Why Termites Infest And Destroy Wooden Structures
Cellulose is the dominant food source for insects like termites. When your property has a wooden structure or decks that are poorly sealed, or piles of firewood or rotting yard debris, it is attractive to termites.
Termites will flock to felled logs and tree branches on your property, fences, wooden window frames, or plants close to your home’s foundation. If there are any cracks or crevices that termites can use to enter your home, they will do so for warmth, protection, and food.
Pests like termites are voracious invaders once they get inside your Plano home, garage, or deck. They will rapidly feed upon cellulose, which is abundant in softwood, hardwood, paper products, and furniture. Typically, termites seek out cellulose sources that are already damaged, rotting, or hiding in dark areas to go undetected.
How to tell if you have termites? You have a problem if you notice bubbling or trails under painted wood walls or drywall, discover hollowed-out or warped wood, or see bodies or wings around windowsills and doors. You may also see mud tubes around your home, piles of sawdust, or wood-colored pellets, which are termite droppings.
Factors That Attract Termites And How To Remove Them
It doesn’t take long for termites to make quick work of your property and cause extensive damage. You may discover termites are attracted to the following in and around your home:
- Skirting boards
- Cardboard
- Piles of newspaper
- Books
- Moist soil around the foundation
- Heat and moisture
Stay vigilant and look for signs of termites around your property. Store mulch and firewood far from your home and remove moisture around the foundation from gutters and other sources. Have a professional pest control service come to your home to treat the exterior for termite prevention and repair and close up gaps or cracks where termites can enter.
The Best Termite Control Solution For Plano Properties
In Plano, you will likely encounter the Formosan subterranean termite, the drywood termite, and the desert dampwood termite. If you’re serious about getting termites out of your house, it’s time to pull out all the stops. Call All-Service Pest & Termite for the best termite treatment in Plano.
At All-Service Pest & Termite, we treat the interior and exterior of your home and will come back for monthly follow-up services. We stand by our All-Safe Service Guarantee, and our techs will administer our Termite Colony Elimination System for the ultimate termite control in Plano. Our family at All-Service Pest & Termite is ready to tackle your termite problems when you need us most, so give us a call today.