The termites in our area are subterranean termites. These are the most destructive termites in the United States. The reason they're so destructive is that they're incredibly sneaky. Worker termites tunnel as far as the length of a football field to find food sources.
You can have subterranean termites feeding on your home and not even have a nest in your yard. More than this, when they get into your home, they stay hidden. Subterranean termites stay in their tunnels where they can stay hydrated. Join us as we look at other surprising factors that make subterranean termites difficult to deal with, and learn how termite pest control in Greensboro can make this job easy.
What Does A Termite Infestation Look Like?
Many Greensboro residents see termites, or warning signs of a termite infestation, and don't even realize it. The first way you can guard your property against termite damage is to be aware of how termites may reveal themselves.
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If you have active termites in your home, you may see shelter tubes. Break a piece off and check back in a few days. If the tube is fixed, termites are actively moving through those above-ground mud tunnels to feed on the wood inside your home.
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If you collect dead branches in your yard, you might find worker termites on them, but you won't see them for long. They're going to crawl into the wood and hide.
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If you find tiny black insects with white wings crawling around in your yard, you may have a termite infestation in your home. Those are termite swarmers and they don't travel far from the nest in which they hatched.
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If you see a termite swarm in your house, you definitely have an infestation.
Termite identification and detection are key to stopping these sneaky pests. But, if you do manage to detect them, your difficulties aren't over.
Why It Is So Hard To Get Rid Of Termites On Your Property
The biggest problem with exterminating termites is a lack of knowledge. Many of the suggestions you'll find on the internet are not effective at all, and the suggestions that do have the ability to stop termites can fail for lack of improper implementation.
The manufacturers of the leading termite control products in the United States are acutely aware of this fact and it has led them to establish certification programs. The process of certification ensures effective results and guards the reputations of these companies.
If you decide to do your own termite treatments, be aware that even the most advanced termiticides and termite bait products can fail. When they do, it may be difficult for you to detect the continued activity of termites on or inside your property.
What Attracts Termites To Homes?
A termite problem can begin for no reason at all. Worker termites are always looking for food sources and they may get into your home simply because they find a route. But there are conditions that can make this more likely.
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A stack of dead branches or cardboard sitting on the ground is going to be a big attractant for these insects.
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Burying wood in your yard will create conditions that increase your chances of a termite problem as each year passes. Wood will decay in the ground, and being in the ground is the perfect place for subterranean termite workers to feed on this material.
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Wood borders around flower beds and landscaping can attract termites.
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Decaying wood on structures will attract termites.
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Worker termites are drawn to moist soil and homes that have moisture problems.
The first step in termite damage prevention is to remove termite food sources and reduce moisture. Surprisingly, some suggestions on the internet lead people to actually put these food sources out for termites to eat! The idea is that a pile of cardboard or dead branches placed away from the exterior of a home will lure worker termites away from your home.
When the termites get into the pile of food, it can then be set on fire to exterminate them. Burning termites will not address the colony that sent them, and placing termite food on your property will only increase the number of workers a colony will produce. You should do your best to eliminate all termite food sources in your yard.
Keep in mind that removing attractants can help to prevent termite damage, but the best way to keep termites from damaging your property is to have a licensed pest professional install a termite control product. Products like the award-winning Sentricon® System with Always Active™ stop termites in their tracks and make detecting termites a breeze.
Ways To Prevent Future Termite Infestations In Greensboro
If you have the certified professionals here at Go-Forth Pest Control install the Sentricon® System with Always Active™ to arrest a termite infestation, you don't have to do anything to prevent future infestations. There is no easier way to deal with termites in Greensboro. Reach out to us for installation and get your termite protection in place starting today.
