Are Termites Harmful to Humans? Why They Need to be Removed 

When people think of termites, the first thing that comes to mind is the destruction they can cause to human habitations. Every year, businesses and homeowners across the U.S. spend up to $2 billion on termite remediation and extermination. Although termites are not known vectors for disease like other pests such as rodents or cockroaches, termites can still pose several potential dangers to human beings that are important to understand. 

Read on to learn more about the risks termites can pose to human health and safety, along with tips for effectively removing these pests from your property.

The Dangers of Termites

Although termites are not poisonous or directly dangerous to humans, their presence in the home should be cause for concern. So, to what extent are termite infestations harmful to humans? Here are a few potential dangers to keep in mind if you’re noticing termites in or around the premises.

The Danger of Termite Bites 

Termites do have the ability to bite humans and pets, but these bites do not pose any health risks, though termite saliva may cause an allergic reaction in some individuals.

However, as a termite colony grows, their chewing through wood and other surfaces can contribute to the distribution of mildew, mold, and fungal infections in an indoor environment. In addition, the dust and contaminants termite activity creates can work to exacerbate asthma or allergy symptoms. 

The droppings termites leave behind can also cause allergic reactions or even asthma attacks in some individuals. In this way, the presence of termites can negatively impact human health, especially if the infestation is rather extensive. If you begin to experience any health symptoms caused by termite activity, it’s advisable to seek medical attention and the support of experienced pest control professionals.

The Structural Danger

The biggest danger termites pose to humans is the destruction they can cause to a building’s infrastructure. Given an opportunity, termites eat through support beams, rafters, and floorboards which can undermine the structural integrity of your home or business. 

If nothing is done to address the problem, termite damage can make a home unsafe for human habitation or create a potentially dangerous work environment. The structural danger termites pose is especially significant in older buildings that may already have various structural issues.

Recognize Signs of Termite Infestation

The presence of termites in a home or business may not always be obvious. Also known as “Silent Destroyers”, termites can quietly cause a significant amount of damage before they are detected. Since termites prefer dark and moist environments, their activities can remain hidden within walls or the hidden recesses of a building without being detected.

With that said, there are several tell-tale signs of termite activity to keep in mind. Common signs of a termite infestation include:

• The presence of mud tunnels inside or outside a structure
• Termite droppings (frass) that resemble sawdust
• Weakening floorboards or hollow sections of walls
• Pinholes in wood, wallpaper, or drywall
• Discovering discarded termite wings

If you begin to notice one or more of these signs, it’s critical to contact a pest control professional right away. The longer you wait to remedy the problem, the more damage these pests will cause to your home or business. Take note of any signs of termites you find, and be sure to communicate this to your pest control provider.

Removing Termites

Pest control professionals have a wide array of specialized termite treatments at their disposal to effectively remove termite nests from wooden structures. The approach used to combat your termite problem will depend on the extent of the infestation and the type of termite you’re dealing with. For larger, active infestations, pest control experts may use liquid or foam termiticides. Termite bait stations may also be installed around your property to slowly kill termite colonies. 

Pest control technicians may also recommend installing barriers like metal flashing in key areas to help discourage these pests from entering the building. In some cases, fumigation may be recommended. It’s important to note that since pest control professionals have extensive experience with various termite removal strategies, it’s often best to avoid exterminating termites on your own. 

Improperly using termite treatment or bait stations can lead to these pests returning in the future, and DIY termite control can be a costly investment. 

Call the Termite Removal Experts

At Budget Bros Termite & Pest, our dedicated team of pest control technicians has considerable experience with removing termites for clients throughout the Phoenix Valley. We provide top-notch termite control solutions at competitive prices so you can get your home or business back to normal without breaking your budget. 

When you’re ready to take action against your termite problem, contact our team for a free estimate today.

When you’re ready to take action against your termite problem, contact our team for a free estimate today.