While many people understand that termites can be a serious issue, some underestimate how easily they can incur a termite infestation. Subterranean termites are a particularly destructive species that can be very hard to keep out (and very hard to detect as well). If you don't know a lot about subterranean termites, a little education could save you thousands of dollars.
Subterranean termite infestations are the most common type of termite infestation in the country. In fact, these pests are one of the most destructive forces in America, costing homeowners over $5 billion each year. What’s stopping you from being one of the 600,000 homeowners in the US that incur a termite infestation? Unfortunately, not much. There isn’t a whole lot you can do to prevent these invasive termites on your own (at least, nothing guaranteed). However, you can avoid the need for costly repairs if you notice an infestation early.
It takes about a year for subterranean termites to do costly damage to your property. If you allow them 12-18 months to eat the wooden structures of your home, they can cost you over $3,000. That’s why spotting an infestation early is crucial. While worker termites are hard to see, you may notice other signs of infestation in and around your property, such as:
Now, for you non-pest-experts, swarmers are just winged termites in charge of colonization. If you see them flying around your property in a cloud, then you either have a termite problem already or you will soon. If you spot any of these signs, it’s time for professional termite treatments before the damage becomes severe.
Though there aren't any guaranteed methods for preventing termites on your own, there are some things you can do to limit your chances of incurring an infestation. Since subterranean termites are incredibly attracted to wood that’s been damaged by moisture buildup and rot, controlling the moisture issues on your property is the best place to start. The best ways to avoid moisture buildup are:
Along with moisture control, you should also consider storing your firewood away from the home and eliminating soil-to-wood contact on the outside of your home. Subterranean termites get their name from tunneling just below the soil in search of food. As they’re crawling around, they might just crawl right into your home’s foundation if it makes contact with the soil in any area. A 12-18” buffer of rubber mulch, gravel, or pine straw can block termites from tunneling through the soil and into the foundation of your house.
While these methods can help reduce your chances of infestation, forces of nature (like a termite infestation) can be very unpredictable. And keep in mind that homeowner’s insurance typically won’t cover termite damage. So how can you guarantee that your house is safe?
The only guaranteed form of termite prevention comes with the help of professional services, traps, and treatments. Call Red Rock Pest Control today to find out how you can guarantee that your home will be safe from the costly damage of subterranean termites.
