Termites are pests that every homeowner should be aware of. They can cause significant damage to your home and are hard to remove on your own. But Accurate Pest Control has treatment options for you. Our San Antonio pest control focuses on eliminating pests while keeping your family safe, making us the best choice for your termite removal needs. Call today to learn more about our options.
Signs Of Subterranean Termites On Your Property
Subterranean termites are the most common termites in San Antonio. They have a caste system that includes reproductives, soldiers, and workers. These termites range in color from creamy white to dark brown. Only reproductive termites have wings; these are called swarmers. Each spring, swarming termites leave their nests and start new ones.
The signs of termite damage can be subtle. Because subterranean termites pretty much just go between their underground nests and your walls, swarmer termites are the only ones that are seen in the open. To spot termites near your home, keep your eyes out for these signs:
- Shed wings from swarmers
- Swarmers themselves
- Mud tubes on the side of your house
- Blistering or bubbling paint
- Discoloring in paint and wood
- Hollow-sounding wood
These signs can be hard to notice if you don’t know what to look for. But because termites can cause damage to your home, it’s important that you catch an infestation as soon as possible.
A Subterranean Termite Infestation Can Go Unnoticed For Some Time
It isn’t like the first termites to enter your home are going to chew straight through a support beam and immediately make their presence known. The signs of termites are subtle. Termite damage can become very severe, but it takes some time to reach that point. A colony moving into your home will have a slightly slower start. However, that damage compounds over time. As the colony grows, so does its capacity for damage, and eventually, termites will reach those support beams.
This potential for severe structural damage is why it is so important that you catch termite infestations early. The longer they last, the more damage will be done to your home.
Factors That Attract Subterranean Termites To Your Home
There are many factors that can make your home more appealing to termites. The most notable are moisture and easy access to your house. Termite prevention centers on limiting these things around your home. By taking these steps, you can make your house less attractive to subterranean termites.
- Repair anything causing leaks or excess moisture.
- Ensure that crawl spaces, attics, and basements are well-ventilated.
- Store firewood at least 20 feet away from your home.
- Eliminate contact between wood and soil.
- Seal cracks and holes in the walls of your house.
Excessive moisture and humidity don’t just create an ideal environment for termites; they can cause additional damage to wood. This will also attract termites since they often seek out damaged wood. Make any necessary repairs, air out areas of your home that need it, and divert water away from the foundation of your house.
Subterranean termites require contact with the soil as they travel to wooden structures. This is why they build mud tubes on the sides of buildings; it allows them to move around. Wood piles are one thing to look out for. Keep them far away from your house and check for termite damage before bringing wood inside your home.
Cracks and holes in the walls can give termites an easy way to enter your home. When termite swarmers come looking for a place to start a colony, they’ll look for somewhere they can access easily. By repairing these holes, you make it a little more difficult for termites to enter.
Termite infestations are difficult to manage on your own. Because they stay out of sight and there aren’t many clear signs, it’s hard to detect a termite infestation. The best way to get rid of termites is to schedule a professional termite inspection and treatment.
The Best Way To Protect Your San Antonio Home From Termites
Accurate Pest Control prioritizes your health and safety just as much as we prioritize pest removal and treatment. For professional termite control, we use local treatments that directly target termite colonies. We also offer a warranty on our termite treatments; we want your home to be free of termites and safe. Call Accurate Pest Control today to schedule your termite inspection and treatment.