How Do I Know If I Have a Termite Problem In My Southlake Home
Subterranean termites are the most common species of termites found in the Southlake area. These silent destroyers can live on your property for years undetected. And their numbers reach the millions. In fact, a single colony can infest several homes in a neighborhood at once.
How can you stay ahead of this issue and what should you look for?
At DANCAN The Pest Control Expert, we believe an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. We provide free termite inspections for Southlake homeowners and offer treatment options suitable for your needs.
Identifying Termites
Identifying termites is the first step to eradicating an infestation. Mistaking them for a different pest can be a costly oversight.
There are 3 types of termites within the colony, each with its distinct physical characteristics and responsibilities. They are the workers, the soldiers, and the swarmers.
The workers are cream-colored and are the smallest members of the colony, roughly the size of an average ant. They travel in mud tubes along walls and are responsible for collecting food for the colony. The soldiers, who protect the colony, are similar in size but have a slightly darker appearance, a larger head, and protruding mandibles. Finally, the swarmers or reproductives are about ½ inch long, appear much darker than the others, and have 2 sets of wings that are twice the size of the body.
Differences Between Ants and Termites
During the spring and fall months, rainy days followed by warmer temperatures will bring up insect swarms. It can be easy to mistake a termite swarm for an ant swarm. Therefore, it is important to pinpoint the visible differences between the two.
Ants have a recognizable indent on their bodies, creating an hourglass-like shape while termites have wider, oval-shaped bodies. The ant’s antennae are elbowed, whereas the termite’s antennae have a straighter appearance. Additionally, they can be distinguished by their wings. Ants' wings are of different shapes and sizes while termites’ wings are equally sized.
Signs of Termite Activity
It is also crucial to be vigilant and look for signs of termite damage in your home as you are more likely to come across it before you spot a termite itself.
Mud tubes are signs of termites attempting to enter your home and are typically found on the exterior walls and crawl spaces.
Small kick-out holes in your walls, piles of dust as well as any wood damage such as a decaying fence or hollow areas along your home’s wooden structure are also signs to look for.
Lastly, discarded wings found around a windowsill or door can be evidence of a recent swarm. Swarms especially can be a strong indicator of a large termite infestation.
When winged termites emerge, it is an indication that there is a mature colony inhabiting your property. These reproductive termites surface in large numbers looking to mate. Once they find their life-long partner, they shed their wings and settle down nearby, establishing an entirely new colony.
This is especially unsettling considering the queen of a colony can live up to 25 years and produce thousands of eggs a day.
Solution
Whether you are experiencing an active termite issue or looking to keep your Southlake home termite-free, DANCAN The Pest Control Expert can help. Call us today to schedule your free termite inspection. We look forward to working with you to develop a treatment plan that will guarantee you a stress-free life and a protected home!