Living in Chandler, you have probably had termites, preventative termite treatment or know someone who has. This is the reality of living in Arizona where termites thrive in the same wonderful weather we all enjoy! If you suspect you have termites or have seen signs of termites, don’t panic. We are going to explain which type of termite is found most often, which causes the most damage and the different preventative termite treatments, some of which you can even do yourself.
Desert Subterranean Termites
Subterranean termites are the most commonly found termite in Arizona and result in the majority of requests we get to come do a termite inspection. These termites build mud tubes that are strong and airtight and a classic sign of termite infestation. Commonly found near your foundation, up walls or hanging from the ceiling, mud tubes indicate that termites are in your home and that you need to have a termite treatment right away! Another indicator that you may have a termite issue are termite swarms which look like hundreds of small winged insects flying into the air, mostly happening during monsoon season. Sometimes you will see signs of a swarm inside, if you find a pile of wings near your windows. Once you see these signs, it is best to have a professional complete a full termite inspection of your property to point out possible entry areas and to assess the extent of the infestation. Subterranean termites like to nest deep underground near moisture sources and under your foundation creates the perfect atmosphere for them. There are some measures you can take to help prevent termites from seeking refuge under your foundation. Be sure any water leaks in and around your home are promptly fixed so that there is no water build up to draw in termites. Also, try to avoid using mulch as termites love to feast on the broken down, damp wood. If you must use it, keep it away from any area touching your house, even the patio as it can be a gateway for termites to get into the beams of your home. Always be sure vines and shrubs do not grow on your house because they create a moisture lock which is also very attractive to termites. If it has been established that you have a live termite infestation then action should be taken quickly to avoid structural damage to your house. There are a variety of termite treatments but if there is an active infestation then pest control professionals will need to take more invasive measures, such as drilling into the foundation around your whole house and laying the treatment in it to get rid of the termite colonies. This process can be costly but will often come with a warranty so check with your pest control company about their termite guarantee!
Desert Landscape Termites
These types of termites are fairly common in Chandler and surrounding areas but luckily, they do not usually cause damage in your home. Landscape termites do just what they sound like, they eat wood around the home. Say you have an old cactus or a wood pile and it looks like it has been partly covered in mud. That is called ‘‘mud sheeting” which is one of the determining signs that you have landscape termites and not the more damaging subterranean or drywood termite which are discussed next. If you are unsure about the termite signs, it is always helpful to call for a termite inspection to confirm which type of termite you have and discuss the possibility of laying down a preventative termite treatment to protect your home.
Drywood Termites
Being the least common termite in Arizona does not necessarily mean they cause the least amount of damage. Drywood termites actually build their colonies in the wood they live in and are rarely seen. Because they don’t leave classic signs of termites like mud tubes or sheeting, they can do the most damage since homeowners don’t know they are there! These termites can result in the most expensive treatments being needed, like tenting the whole house, to destroy the colonies. Besides noticing structural damage, the only other sign drywood termites are present would be red swarmers or small holes in your walls. These tiny holes are where they push out fecal matter from their nest so if you wipe up little piles of straw colored dust and it returns, call your pest control company right away for a termite inspection.
We truly hope you never have to deal with termite issues but if you have questions or feel that you may have termites, please don’t hesitate to call us! Because termites can cause so much damage to your home’s structure, you don’t want to wait if you see possible termite signs. There are many termite treatments to help get rid of the problem and to prevent termites from infesting your home and we can discuss in detail what would be best for you, your home and your family!
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