Don’t Ignore a Termite Infestation
Do you have termites? Wondering what to do now? Don’t worry. Here at Anteater Pest Control, we are experts at eliminating termite infestations. Call today to talk about our options! Termites can sneak up on an unprepared homeowner, but knowing more about the pesky creatures can help homeowners avoid future infestations.
Termites in Arizona
Termites cost Arizona homeowners tons of money every year in damaged property. While we get many different types of termites here in Maricopa County, the species you need to worry about the most are subterranean termites and dampwood termites.
Subterranean Termites
Subterranean termites are social insects about 1/8 of an inch long. They range in color from white to dark brown, and they have a bad reputation for being one of the most property damaging insects around. Subterranean termites love damp soil, and they build complex systems of underground mud tubes to infiltrate structures and cause damage. Subterranean termites love dark, humid places and often make their way as far as twenty feet underground.
Dampwood Termites
Dampwood termites do not burrow underground and have smaller wings than subterranean termites. Unlike other species of termites, damp wood termites do not need contact with soil to infest a structure. Dampwood termites are some of the largest species of termite that are active in the United States. The insects work to break down dead wood to return nutrients to the soil, which is excellent for the environment but not so great for your house.
Signs of a Termite Infestation
If you notice any of the following signs of a termite infestation, call the pest control experts at Anteater Pest Control. Termites can cost homeowners thousands of dollars in property damage if left unchecked, and the structural integrity of your home is at risk with sizable infestations. Termites themselves can be hard to spot since they hide to protect themselves from losing moisture and from predators, but signs of their activity are always visible if you know where to look.
1. Hollow Sounding Wood
If the timber in your home sounds papery or hollow, you may have a termite infestation. When termites eat wood, they eat it from the inside to the outside. When homeowners tap or knock on areas with termite damage, it’s going to sound hollow due to the middle of the wood being consumed by termites.
2. You Accidentally Kick Through a Baseboard
Termites cause billions of dollars in damage every year in the United States. If you notice any of these signs of a termite infestation, call Anteater Pest Control today.
3. “Sand” in Weird Places
For some species of termites, the most obvious sign of an infestation is sand or sand-like pellets that appear around the house in places like window sills, door jambs, or furniture. These mysterious piles of sand are termite fecal pellets that have sifted through the wood. Yuck.
4. Hard-to-Open Windows
Subterranean termites create a “mud” with their excrement, which creates a protective environment for the termites. The “mud” traps heat and moisture, which can cause wood to swell. This process can result in tight-fitting doors and windows that won’t open.
5. Cracks in the Moulding
When you have a significant termite infestation, termites eat away at the wood in your walls. This process compromises the structural integrity of your home, and cracks can begin to form. However, keep in mind that cracks can form due to various other reasons, such as the ground shifting or other structural problems.
6. Piles of Wings
Some species of termites swarm in the evening when reproductive conditions are conducive to colony expansion. If you find piles of wings near the television or light sources in the home, you could have a termite infestation and should call us here at The Killers for pest control services you can trust.
7. Termite Mud
As mentioned earlier, subterranean termites build “mud” tunnels to protect their colony or food sources. This sign of a termite infestation is probably one of the harder ones to notice as it’s often hidden, but you may notice it if your property has a brick foundation.
How Can Anteater Pest Control Help You?
Have you noticed any of the above signs of a termite infestation, it’s time to call the pest control experts at Anteater Pest Conrtol here in Phoenix, Arizona. When you first discover that you have unwelcome inhabitants residing in your home it can be very alarming. You wonder how they got there, where else they might be and more than likely they gave you the heebie-jeebies. After your initial squeal and fright, now you have to start thinking about how to get rid of them. Do you go to the store and buy traps and poisons? You could but that might just temper the problem instead of eliminating it. Plus if you have pets or children those traps left out could be extremely harmful to the both of them. Your best bet would be to hire an exterminator. A knowledgeable, experienced, trained and professional exterminator. Anteater Exterminating technicians fit this criteria. Every member of our team is extremely well-educated on pests of all shapes and sizes and have the skills to handle any job.