Understanding termites

Statistics regarding pests was released by Consumer Affairs this year. It’s no surprise: Phoenix, Arizona is on the list of the top 20 cities hosting termites.

Termites are small but mighty. However, knowledge is power. Understanding termites and how they work is the key to controlling them.

Understanding Termites: How and Why They ‘Eat You Out of House and Home’

Most Arizona property is damaged by subterranean termites. They live underground and build tunnels to get to your wood. A “small” colony – about 60,000 termites – can eat a 2×4 in one year. That doesn’t sound like much, but they can collapse an entire building in 3-5 years.

Maricopa County property owners understanding termites are a fact of life do frequent visual inspections:

• After a heavy rain, check the draining around your home. If you see “ponding” close to the foundation, install gutters/downspouts to redirect water flow.
• Do a quarterly outside walk-around, inspecting the perimeter of your home. Look for termite tubes or odd dirt-deposits on plants.
• If you have landscaping near the foundation, it’s a termite magnet. Relocate plants a foot from the foundation.
• If you see “swarming,” especially after a rain, this means termites are looking for a new home. If they are in or near your house, they’re looking at your home. If you see a termite swarm, try to capture a few in a zip-lock bag to show your local pest control professional. Some people confuse flying termites with ants.
• Look for termite wings in windowsills, vents, or ducts. This is a sign of an infestation inside your home.

Survival is the driving force behind termite colonies. Termites eat wood because it contains cellulose as well as other nutrients vital to their existence.

A colony of termites has nonstop activity. Each type of termite has an important role: a soldier or worker. They feed the queen of the termite colony.

The queen’s only function is to reproduce. There is a special group of termites called “alates” that can breed. They are sometimes called “reproductives.”

Understanding Termites and New-Home Infestations

It’s not just Phoenix and it’s not “just” Arizona. Termites infest about 600,000 homes every year in the U.S., causing $5 billion-plus in damages. The average homeowner spends $3,000 to repair the damage. Obviously, termite prevention is worth the investment.

New homeowners are chagrined to discover a termite infestation. They believed the termite treatment during or after construction would prevent termites. It can, but not always.

Factors influencing the effectiveness of new construction termite treatments include:

• Chemical barrier disturbance
• Settling under the slab
• Soil type/moisture content
• Type of application equipment used
• Weather day of the treatment

Homeowners themselves sometimes disturb the chemical barrier with cosmetic home improvements.

Contact Budget Brothers for Termite Treatment and Prevention

You don’t have to move to Alaska (where there are no termites) and you don’t have to live with them. In addition to understanding termites, you can prevent them from moving in. Regular termite inspection and treatment can save thousands of dollars.

The real estate market is competitive. If you plan to sell your home this year, proof of frequent termite inspection will give your property an edge over others.

Budget Brothers Termite & Pest Elimination offers several termite treatments. One of them is the right one for your commercial or residential property.

We’d like to discuss preventive options for your home, and contact us immediately if you suspect termite activity.