Know your enemy, as the old saying goes, and in this case, if you want to be effective at preventing or controlling termite infestations in your home, you will need to know a few important facts about termites.
The speed of termite infestation spread
It’s hard to tell exactly how fast termites spread. They do spread consistently over a territory, but they can have huge leaps when they are transported in cargo. Through cargo, termites are able to reach distant corners of the world and their ability to adapt to different environments ensures that they will survive and thrive. Under normal conditions, a termite colony will produce swarmers two times a year, and this will allow the termites to build new colonies in a nearby area.
The signs of a termite infestation
There are several signs that you have a termite infestation depending on the species. For subterranean termites you will have the distinctive mud tubes, which extend from the ground up to the wood of the home. Subterranean termites need a lot of moisture to survive, to the point where they die if they are out in the open for too long. These mud tubes help them travel above ground without dying.
Drywood termites on the other hand will survive inside the wood itself, with no contact to the ground. This means that they have to remove feces and other trash from the colony using evacuation holes. These holes are visible in the wood, and there will be debris underneath them on the floor.
Both species will damage the wood, and given enough time, this damage will be observable. The wood will become discolored, and the paint on it will bubble and blister. The wood will also sound hollow if you knock on it.
The cost of removing termites
The cost of removing termites will vary depending on several factors, including the company you are working with, the extent of the infestation, the size of your building, the treatment used, and other elements that would make it harder or easier to apply the treatment. If you would like a more detailed explanation of costs and the treatments that can get rid of an infestation in your home, we can help you out. Contact us today with any question you may have or to set up a termite inspection appointment.
