Termite colonies in Texas have a specific social structure: queen, king, reproducers who later become kings or queens, soldiers, and workers. They all depend on each other to keep the nest alive and growing, but the workers are the ones who damage your property. They have soft translucent bodies; are one-eighth of an inch long, sterile, and blind; and work 24 hours a day throughout their life span of two years. With this strict social structure, there’s a specific, yet preventable and treatable amount of damage that can occur. Here’s the damage termites can do.
Signs of Damage
You may see chewed and damaged wood if you have a termite problem. These destructive pests create a system of tunnels that lead away from a central nest, leaving behind remnants of wood grain in a honeycomb-like pattern. You might also see mud tubes, crumbling drywall, sagging floors, unsecured doors, or discarded wings from reproducers who have matured.
Often, the nest is behind a wall or under the floor. You won’t hear anything because termites themselves do not make noise, but if you tap a wall or floor where you suspect they have nested, it will sound hollow. If the termites have nested in a damp area such as a basement, damaged roof, or near improperly-working plumbing, they may construct tubes of mud through which they travel to collect and carry food back to the central nest.
Cost of Damage
Termites can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage by ruining sub-flooring, destroying roofs, and other wood in your home. The National Pest Management Association estimates that termites cause more than five billion dollars of property damage in the U.S. every year. Because this damage is typically not covered by homeowners’ insurance policies, it is important to have termites exterminated as soon as they are suspected.
Extermination and Prevention of Termites
If you spot a termite infestation, do not disturb them; the sharp survival instincts of these pests allow them to sense disruption and immediately move to another spot close by to build a new colony site. You must call a professional to get rid of termites.
At EnviroCon Pest Control, we can find and destroy a termite colony permanently. We can help you get rid of these destructive pests and prevent infestation. Our methods of extermination are effective, and will not cause harm to your family or the environment.
We provide pest extermination and preventive pest control in Houston and surrounding areas. If you think you might have a termite problem, call us today at (281) 215-3151 for a free quote.