Termites

In the United States alone, termites are responsible for billions of dollars of property damage each year. Taking steps to prevent a termite infestation or identifying an infestation early is the best way to avoid expensive home repairs in the future. If you see any signs of a possible termite infestation, or you just want to get your property checked for termites, calling in a pest control professional as soon as possible is the way to go.

Pest Authority’s expert termite control services come with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. After an initial inspection and assessment to gauge the severity of the termite infestation, our highly trained and experienced technicians will design a termite control and prevention plan that will eliminate the current infestation and prevent future infestations. We offer curative and preventative treatments and use both liquid termiticide and bait solutions. Our goal is to get rid of your home’s termite infestation and do our part to make sure you never have to deal with another infestation again.

Signs of a Termite Infestation:

Damaged wood. While some termites leave visible signs of wood damage like blistering and holes, a lot of termite damage is hidden below the surface. Wood that’s infested with termites will be soft and easy to pierce, and it will sound hollow when tapped.
Shelter tubes. Termites build shelter tubes – also called mud tubes – out of dirt, particles of wood, and their own saliva. These tubes allow termites to move around without being exposed to open air, where they would dehydrate and die. You’ll most likely find shelter tubes in your crawl space, attic, floor joists, and foundation walls.
Flying swarmers. Flying swarmers are termites that reproduce and locate places for their colonies to settle. You’ll see these winged insects emerging from soil and wood, and you may also see their discarded wings on the floor or around windows and doors.

Termite Prevention Tips:

Call in a pest control expert to perform a comprehensive inspection on an annual basis.
Get rid of all excess cellulose material – including wood, cardboard, and sawdust – that’s sitting in or around your home.
Dispose of any dead wood from your property. If you have to keep firewood on hand, store it as far from your home’s foundation as possible.
Avoid using wood siding or wood shingles.
Cut down on any excess moisture in your home, including leaky plumbing and air conditioning units, pooling in your basement or crawl space, and clogged or broken gutters.
Seal cracks and crevices in and around your home.

Types of Termites:

Subterranean termites. These are the most common termites found in the United States. They die when exposed to open air, so they have to move around in tunnels. Subterranean termites are most attracted to untreated or moist wood that touches soil. You probably won’t see visible signs of damage from subterranean termites, but the infested wood will be soft and sound hollow when tapped.
Drywood termites. These termites tend to live in moist, humid climates. They leave piles of wood pellets or powder close to where they’re burrowing, and they will also leave piles of droppings that resemble coffee grounds or sawdust. Drywood termite infestations can cause wood to blister visibly.
Dampwood termites. Wood that already had moisture damage will attract dampwood termites. They don’t leave much visible damage to wood, so they can be difficult to detect.

Facts about Termites:

Termites live in every state in the U.S. except Alaska.
Swarming termites shed their wings once they enter a new home.
A single subterranean termite colony can consume over 100 pounds of wood in a year and can contain over one million workers.
Termites eat 24 hours a day.
Evidence shows that termites date back at least 120 million years.
Spring and summer are the most active times of year for termites, but they can continue to reproduce throughout fall and into early winter.