Termites Be Gone: Proven Techniques For Successful Termite Control In Tampa
June 30, 2023 - Termites
You worked hard for your home. Whether it is the first home you ever bought or the dream home you'll retire in; you want to do everything you can to maintain it. You can spend every weekend with home improvement projects, but termites can sneak in and ruin your hard work and effort.
Termites are known as "Silent Destroyers" because they damage your home without alerting you to their presence. These tiny pests cause an average of five billion dollars in damages annually across the United States, and the individual bill for termite repair is well over a thousand dollars. Worse, homeowners' insurance rarely covers termite damage.
You need professional pest control in Tampa to protect your home from termites. At EcoSmart Pest Solutions, we offer termite control plans to keep your home and wallet protected. Call us today for a termite inspection, and let us get to work for you.
The Anatomy Of Termites: Understanding Their Behavior And Habits
Termites are social insects that exhibit specific habits and behaviors. These insects typically live in large colonies. Within these large colonies, termites have a social organization consisting of workers, soldiers, and reproductive termites. Each caste has distinct roles and responsibilities.
The most common termite species in Tampa is the subterranean termite. These termites construct mud tubes and complicated tunnel systems to protect themselves and maintain moisture levels as they search for food.
Termites primarily target wood and plant materials as food sources. This feeding habit can cause extensive damage to structures, compromising their structural integrity over time. Termites depend on moisture for survival and are attracted to areas with high humidity or water sources. Moisture issues in buildings can contribute to termite infestations.
Termites reproduce using swarmers. Mature termite colonies release winged reproductive termites called swarmers or alates during specific times of the year. The presence of swarmers suggests there's a mature colony nearby.
From Bad To Worse: How Termite Damage Can Escalate Quickly
As you learned, termites are known as "Silent Destroyers" because of how much damage they can do before you know they are there. They sneak into your home through cracks in your foundation or gaps in your pipes and begin eating away at the wood inside your home. Termites build their nests and forage within walls, attics, crawl spaces, or other concealed areas, making their activity challenging to detect without a professional inspection. By the time visible signs, like damaged wood or discarded wings, become noticeable, the infestation may have already reached a significant level.
As the termite colony grows, its ability to destroy your home grows with it. Termites feed continuously and can cause substantial damage to wooden structures over time. They tunnel through wood, hollowing it out from the inside. This activity can weaken the home's structural integrity, leading to sagging floors, buckling walls, or even collapse in severe cases.
Protecting Your Property: Effective Termite Prevention Methods
With all the damage that termites can cause around your house and as hard as they can be to detect, you want to do everything in your power to prevent termites from invading your home. Here and some practical termite control tips:
- Reduce areas of moisture around your home.
- Create a barrier that prevents direct contact with soil, wood, or other organic materials in your home.
- Seal cracks and crevices in your home's foundation, walls, and roof.
- Store firewood at least 20 feet from your home and raise it off the ground.
- Ensure proper ventilation of your attic and crawl spaces.
- Remove wood debris from your home and property.
The best way to protect your home is with professional termite control, including annual termite inspections. Our termite professionals can identify termite infestations early and keep them from spreading.
Professional Termite Control: Long-Term Protection For Your Home
While there are steps you can take on your own to protect your home from termites, there is no substitute for professional termite control from us at EcoSmart Pest Solutions. We will start with an inspection of your home and property, where we will identify any active infestations and conditions that could lead to future issues. Then we will work with you to build a protective barrier around your house, keeping termites away from your foundation.
Don't let termites turn your home into a snack, and take a bite out of your wallet. Call us today for professional termite control, and let us build a termite prevention solution that fits your home and needs.