Baltimore home and business owners will often wait to see an insect or creature on their premises before receiving pest management. They believe that’s the only time it’s needed. The fact is that many critters can penetrate a property and build a nest without being detected. If they happen to be a species that reproduces with a quickness, the consequences could be substantial. Many can annihilate whole buildings or personal belongings. Several can spread germs that lead to illnesses. Termites are definitely the kinds of bugs that can get in under your nose and wreak havoc.
Each year, termites cost Americans $5 billion in deterrence and recuperation fees. Usually, they aren’t seen because they hide inside walls. By the time they’re noticed, it could be too late. Learn about the country’s dominant subterranean type, and how you can prevent them with Phenom Pest Protection.
What Do Subterranean Termites Look Like & Behave? What Are the Risks?
Termite colonies are made up of workers, soldiers, and swarmers. Subterranean workers are cream-colored and about 0.25 of an inch long. Living up to their title, they spend most of their time chipping away at wood. Soldiers shield them from any threats with their large jaws. They too are creamy looking, but they have brown heads. These groups reside behind foundations, in soil, and in damp spaces. The swarmers are black or brown and range in size from 0.25 to 0.50 of an inch long. They use their two sets of wings to break from the nest, so they can mate and start fresh colonies. You might see them fleeing or buzzing by light sources. This will be your first sign of an infestation. Other markers are:
- Finding scaly and translucent swarmer wings that are discarded
- Discovering mounds of fecal frass around pin-point holes, maze patterns, and mud tubes in walls
- Hearing hollowness in foundations when you tap them
- Detecting noises, like rustling and clicking, from behind walls
- Noticing that paint is puffing up, peeling, or looking water damaged
- Seeing drywall becoming discolored or droopy
- Having tiles that loosening floorboards that seem to give way
- Having doors and window frames that are tight-fitting
The labor of termites creates bases and walls that are flimsy and deteriorating. It’s possible that there could be a collapse, which would be very dangerous. You don’t want your home or business to become so unstable that you have to relocate or close for any period of time, much less, permanently. As it pertains to medical health, termites will agitate allergies, but they won’t cultivate disease.
How Can One Prevent Subterranean Termites?
Your residence or establishment is less likely to experience a termite invasion if you do the following:
- Repair or remove wood that is decaying or rotted
- Fix leaks and moisture malfunctions- faults dampening wood should be tended to first
- Seal cracks and crevices in foundations, caulk, and utility lines
- Exterior vents should have screens attached
- Routinely clean out vents and gutters
- Stack wood and place greenery a couple of feet from your property
- Free wood should never be on soil
- Groom your yard and plants regularly
What Can Phenom Pest Protection Do About Subterranean Termites?
Phenom Pest Protection is a certified Sentricon® specialist company. That means our technicians have received intensive training on termites and how to use industrial-strength products. For instance, the Sentricon® with Always Active™ systems and bait stations designed to dismantle colonies and cease their maturation. The equipment has a locking feature to keep children and domestic animals safe. Follow-up visits and monitoring are also available with our affordable services. Call us today at Phenom Pest Protection to get started! Protect your living space and investments!
