Termites are one of the most destructive insects on the planet. The problem is, their existence and actions can go unnoticed for years. This allows them to wreak havoc on your home’s structure before you know it’s happening. By the time you figure it out, it may already be too late to avoid expensive repairs. This is because termites feed on wood.
An average colony of termites can make their way through about a foot of a 2×4 in six months. Some species can even go through wood more quickly than that. They will make tunnels in wood to create even more colonies, each about 60,000 strong. You can see how quickly termites can negatively impact the integrity of your home. In Eureka, California, the most common termites are drywood termites and subterranean termites, but Formosan termites and dampwood termites have been discovered infesting homes and businesses as well.
How Do You Know If You Have a Termite Problem?
There are several ways to determine if you have a termite infestation. Since termites are silent destroyers, you will want to actively look for these signs:
Head Banging – Soldier termites bang their head against the wall when the colony is in danger. This results in a clicking sound. You may also hear worker termites eating if you put your ear against the wall.
Appearance of White Ants – These are actually termites. They look like ants, but they are white.
Swarmers – These are flying termites looking for mates to establish a new colony. Depending on the species, some swarmers fly at night and are attracted to light sources. Drywood termites swarm after it rains. You may also see the remnants of the wings, which swarmers lose once they have found a mate.
Structural Integrity – Tap walls and other wood. If it sounds papery or hollow, this is likely a sign that you have termites eating away at it. Tunnels in wood are another sign that you likely have termites, as well as doors that are tight and windows that are difficult to open. This happens because termites create a lot of moisture when they eat, causing the wood to swell.
Frass (termite droppings) – This could indicate drywood termites. Unlike some other species, drywood termites don’t use feces to build nests. They push it out through openings in the wood, where you can spot it on close inspection. It appears as tiny black marks or a powdery substance.
Subterranean termites can be harder to spot because they prefer living underground. While you can do a few things to prevent termites, such as reducing as much soil to wood contact as possible and keeping any wood, plants, mulch, trash, and cardboard from around the foundation of your home, you may not always know termites have begun their work. Once you discover termites, it’s hard to assess the damage that has been done. If you suspect you have termites in your home, your best option is to call the professionals.
Accurate Termite & Pest Solutions Is The Answer
When you suspect you have a termite infestation, Accurate Termite & Pest Solutions in Eureka is the answer. We have the knowledge, the methods, and the tools needed to rid you of your termite problem and help preserve the integrity of your home. If you suspect you have a problem with termites and aren’t sure, we can help you determine if you have termites and offer you the best solution for getting rid of them. Call us at (707) 682-7637. Our expert pest technicians are ready to help you today.