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Termite control in Phoenix

August 19th, 2020

Termite control in Phoenix

Domesticated animals often struggle with weight control, but termites don’t have that problem. They must eat all day, every day. This means termites can do an incredible amount of damage in a very short time. So, professional termite control in Phoenix must be knowledgeable and experienced.

Termite Control in Phoenix: What You Don’t Know Can Hurt Your Home

It’s a popular misconception that termites primarily eat wood that is damp. Termite control in Phoenix requires addressing 2 types of termites. Subterranean and drywood termites can both do significant damage in Arizona.

Arizona Drywood Termites

In Arizona, we have 3 types of termites, but only two qualify as “pests.” Subterranean and drywood.

We also have 3 types of drywood termites (Cryptotermes brevis, Incisitermes minor, Incisitermies snyderi). Incisitermes minor termites are the most destructive and will attack furniture and other wood products.

You’re probably more familiar with these types of drywood termites:

  • Soldiers – Drywood soldiers have large jaws and teeth strong enough to chew-through heavy materials.
  • Swarmers – Drywood swarmers are also called “alates.” They have two sets of wings. They shed their wings after swarming. That’s another difference between drywood and subterranean termites.
  • Workers – The workers are young termites called “nymphs.”

What Do Drywood Termites Eat?

Drywood termites don’t need soil or water. They seem to get enough moisture directly from the wood they eat. They eat 24/7, and they consume:

  • Cardboard
  • Drywall
  • Plant materials (They seldom harm plants or crops.)
  • Structural/frame wood
  • Wood/woodpiles

They will chew through foams and plastics, seeking any material containing cellulose.

Drywood termites measure from 1/2″-5/8″ in length. Their bodies are light brown. (Subterranean or “damp wood” termites are dark brown to black.) You may see “swarmers” at sunset following a light rain.

How to Identify Termite Activity

The first noticeable sign of drywood termite activity is usually swarming. Drywood termites tend to swarm evenings and are attracted to lights and television. You might see discarded wings near windowsills or in spiderwebs.

Drywood termites live within the wood. Damaged wood is not often visible. If you see what you suspect are signs of dry wood termite damage, fecal pellets may be nearby. The pellets are smaller than grains of rice.

The drywood termites themselves are fairly easy to spot. They are larger than wet wood termites. Unfortunately, infestations are harder to detect. Their colonies are small, and there may be several colonies in one area of your home.

Surface “blisters” are a sign of advanced termite infestation. They occur when the drywood termites tunnel close to the wood’s surface. If you tap the wood with a butter knife or screwdriver handle, termite-damaged wood sounds hollow. You may also hear a paper-rustling sound.

Termite Control in Phoenix Communities

Many property owners have a pest control professional “on-call” for emergencies. But conscientious homeowners schedule maintenance inspections for complete termite control in Phoenix.

Newly constructed properties’ materials receive a termite pretreatment. The treated materials are warrantied for a few years. But it’s just smart to sign on for pest control maintenance no matter how old (or young) your home or commercial building. Arizona termites are aggressively invasive and adaptable.

We always say it’s not a matter of if you’ll have termites; it’s when. For termite control in Phoenix, contact Budget Brothers Termite & Pest Elimination. Our affordable, honest recommendation will be based on what’s best for your property.

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