A lot of Fort Worth home and business owners apply the cliche of “out of sight, out of mind” to pest management. They assume that if they don’t see insects and creatures on their property, they don’t exist. Unfortunately, this couldn’t be further from the truth. Due to their size, activity periods, behavioral patterns, hiding places, and other factors, many critters can start an invasion under your nose. If it’s a species that can reproduce with speed, you’ll really be in trouble. Before you know it, your building or belongings could be ruined. Also, you might become sick because of a pest’s germs or bites.
Termites can take down whole structures, as they are wood-destroying bugs. They rack up a bill of five billion dollars each year for Americans. It’s hard to recover from their work. These insects pose other threats that aren’t talked about as much. Learn more, and how you can prevent them from All-Safe Pests & Termites.
How Do Termites Look And Behave? What Are The Risks?
There are several termite species. Generally, colonies consist of three groups: workers, soldiers, and swarmers. The most prevalent worker termites are white or grayish-white. Being dainty in size, they’re 0.12 of an inch long. As their title indicates, shredding the wood is their primary duty. Yellow-brown soldiers with prominent jaws and rectangular heads defend them. These two classes stay out of view under the soil. Above ground, they surround damp spaces and live behind walls. This is why termites are called “silent killers.” They can survive for up to two years, while queens can sustain for about a decade.
The ½ of an inch-long-winged swarmers must flee the nest in spring to reproduce and create fresh colonies. Given this, they are the only specimens you’ll see. Check around the lights, as they are attracted to them. Swarmer sightings are a definite sign of infestation. Other notes are:
- Seeing the discarded wings of swarmers; they’ll be translucent and scaly
- Finding fecal frass piles by pin-point holes, maze patterns, and mud tubes in walls
- Tapping on foundations and hearing hollowness
- Hearing clicking and rustling from inside walls
- Having paint that appears water-damaged or is bubbling and peeling
- Noticing that drywall is beginning to sag or be discolored
- Tiles starting to loosen
- Floorboards seem to cave in
- Having window frames and doors that are very tight-fitting
As termites populate, bases and walls will become weak and unstable. Wood could collapse, which is a dangerous situation. Your home or business may be uninhabitable for a period. Health-wise, these insects aren’t known to transmit disease. However, they can cause allergy flare-ups.
How Can You Prevent Termites?
Form a proactive defense with these actions:
- Remove or refurbish rotting and injured wood
- Have moisture problems fixed; especially if it’s making wood wet
- Seal cracks around caulk, foundations, and utility lines
- Add screens to all exterior vents
- Regularly clean vents and gutters
- Sit firewood and greenery at least two feet from your property
- Don’t put loose wood directly on the soil
- Trim grass and plants frequently
What Can All-Safe Pest & Termite Do About Termites?
Our name says it all. We at All-Safe Pest & Termite have concentrated resources toward the extermination of termites, as we’re the largest Sentricon® operator in the western states. Our highly trained technicians will employ the Sentricon® System with Always Active™ baiting stations and spot treatments. These solutions will dismantle current colonies on your property and stop new ones from developing. All products are safe for humans and pets. Our affordable services come with warranties and recurring visits. Pre-construction options are also available. Shield your home! Protect your business! Call today for a free estimate for your Fort Worth home!