In our Plano service area, we have subterranean and drywood termite pests. If these insects come into your yard, they can present a serious danger to your finances but do they present a health threat? Let's take a look.

Subterranean Termites

You're not likely to come in contact with these insects. If they're inside the walls of your home, that's where they're going to stay. They won't come out at night and bite your skin—unless you're made of wood. Sorry Pinocchio. Termites feed on wood. But, there are occasions where you might expose a termite infestation. If you do, here are two things to consider.

Termite workers are the only termites in the colony that eat. All other termites derive their sustenance from the workers through a sharing of fluids. Therefore, termite workers are really the only termites in a colony that can bite, fortunately, they don't have the ability to bite you. The mouth of a termite is not made for biting. It is made for scraping.
Termite soldiers are the termites that protect the colony. They are the termites that have the scary-looking black pincers. Those pincers are weapons. Fortunately for humans, they're not strong enough to harm us. You might get a little pinch, but that's about it.

Drywood Termites

When drywood termites target your home, they get into hardwood and the voids within your walls, floors, and ceilings. Like subterranean termites, you're not likely to come in contact with these insects. They prefer to stay in their galleries. If you expose a gallery during a renovation, the same factors apply. Workers scrape. Soldiers have weak pincers. You don't have to worry about these insects. But there is one way drywood termites can impact your health. The frass they produce can cause allergies to flare. This can lead to sneezing, wheezing, watery eyes, itchy skin, and more. It is also important to note that if you, or someone you love, has asthma, termites could make asthma-symptoms more severe.

The Real Danger Termites Present

If you're hoping to use the equity of your home as a part of your retirement nest egg, termites can damage your financial security at a time when you're the most vulnerable. These insects don't damage your home overnight. They damage it over the course of several years. If they're given a decade or two, you could find yourself living in a money pit when you retire. Termites cost property owners more than $5 billion annually. Some of the damage they cause cannot be repaired. It is far better to be protective when it comes to termites. When you invest in termite control, you decide how much you're willing to allow termites to cost you. In fact, you can add the cost as a line item in your budget. That means no surprises when you're ready to retire.

Tips To Mitigate The Danger Termites Present

If you're not ready to invest in professional termite protection, we hope you'll consider at least taking a few steps to prevent extensive damage to your property.

• Do routine inspections of your property. Look for mud tubes on your foundation and other surfaces. Look for shed termite swarmer wings sitting on the ground or in spider webs. Look for damage to wood in dark, damp locations. Pick up dead branches and look for tiny, pale insects crawling on them. Worker termites look a little bit like maggots with legs. It's gross but true. If you think, "Yuck! Maggots!" And then those maggots crawl inside the dead branch you're holding, you just saw subterranean termites.

• Be on the lookout for swarmers. These insects have long white wings that stack on top of each other and are rounded at the tips. A swarmer is only about ⅜ of an inch long. It isn't much to look at. Fortunately, its wings make it easy to identify.

• Refrain from collecting dead sticks and stacking them in your yard. It is best to burn them as quickly as possible, if you're able.

• Refrain from burying any wood in your yard.

• Remove stumps, logs, and dying trees.

• Elevate campfire and cookout wood. You don't want any dead wood sitting on the ground.

• Replace wood fencing with vinyl fencing. There are many textures you can get with vinyl fencing. There are some that even approximate wood.

• Replace wood landscape borders with stone.

If You Need Assistance

Remember that the certified termite control professionals here at All-Safe Pest & Termite are always ready to help. We use the most advanced termite control solutions and back our services with the best warranties available. Reach out to us today and request a termite inspection to get started. Don't let your retirement be threatened by termites. Take control of your financial future.

I have been with them for several years. They are always responsive if any issues arise, and are completely on top of our quarterly treatments. I love it, because I don’t have…

Joanna P.

Expert Insights On Termite Control: What Works And What Doesn't In Frisco

November 7, 2023

Learn the types of termites that infest Frisco homes, the extent of damage they cause, and the most effective way to control them with All-Safe Pest & Termite.

Read More

What Should I Do If I Think My Plano Home Has Termites?

November 4, 2023

Do you need help dealing with termites on your Plano property? Take some time today to learn the best way to deal with these terrible little pests.

Read More

Know The Signs Of A Termite Infestation In The Woodlands

October 27, 2023

Is there a quick way to deal with termites in The Woodlands? Discover everything you need to know about these pests today.

Read More