If you’re a homeowner and you’ve heard about the damage that termites can do to a structure, you’ve probably considered getting a company that specializes in termite control to inspect your home for signs of an infestation. If you’ve already made the call for a termite inspection, you’ve done the single most important thing you can do to protect your biggest investment from an incredibly destructive pest. Because it’s always a good idea to know something about the enemy when you’re in a war, here are some things you should know about termites and termite pest control in Plano:
Termites Actually Serve a Purpose
You may think that termites, along with fire ants and cockroaches, don’t really serve a purpose except to annoy you and cost you money. In fact, subterranean termites play an important role in the ecosystem as waste processors. They break down cellulose in dead plants and trees and turn it into usable nutrients, which are then recycled into the soil as humus. If termites limited their work to fields and forests, we’d stand in awe of their work and delight in the rich, fertile earth they help to create. Unfortunately, termites aren’t that particular about the cellulose they consume and, to them, our homes are just more piles of sticks that need to be converted into organic material.
How Termites Find Wood
Each colony of termites has a foraging territory that varies in size based on the species of termite, the age and size of the colony and the availability of nearby food sources. From the main colony, they set out in a starburst pattern, creating pencil-sized tunnels as they look for food. They keep tunneling until they find tree roots, moisture or some other potential food source. Like ants, they also find food by trailing along the edges of objects, like building foundations or brick veneers, until they come to an opening that leads them into a structure. Once they find a food source, they return to the colony, laying down a pheromone trail for other termites to follow. Because their bodies are soft and sensitive to dehydration, termites build mud tubes from the ground up the side of your foundation to safely access the inside of your home.
Termites Are Destructive
Termites are the most destructive wood-destroying insects in the United States and they never rest. Termites are active all day, every day, all year round. According to PestWorld.org, they cause more than $5 billion in property damage and repairs every year, though that number may be conservative. According to the trade publication for the pest control industry, PCT – Pest Control Technology, the number could be $11 billion annually in the United States, which includes the cost of termite control and the cost of termite damage repair. Globally, the total cost may be $22 billion.
Termites Require Professional Help
Even if you know what the signs of an infestation look like, only a termite control specialist can treat your property for termites. He will not only know the signs of an infestation, he’ll also know how to find wood that has already been damaged by termites. A professional will use industry-standard chemicals that are more effective than over-the-counter chemicals sold in hardware stores. In addition, he can give you prevention pointers that will reduce your chances of having a termite infestation.
For termite pest control in Frisco, TX, call Safe Pro Pest Control at (972) 435-0700. You can also visit us online at www.safepropest.com to learn more about our services.
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