Alabama is home to the worst termites in the United States. They're called subterranean termites, and they are the worst because they have an uncanny ability to avoid detection. These insects can tunnel into your yard and create a satellite colony near your home without ever revealing themselves. They can come up from the soil and silently enter the wood of your home. Worst of all, they can feed on the wood of your home for years without showing themselves or making a single detectible noise. If they do this, they can have a negative impact on your retirement plans. These insects can completely total a man-made structure because the damage they do weakens support beams. Subterranean termites cost U.S. property owners billions of dollars every year. Guess where the lion's share of that property repair cost is paid? The southern states. That is why every Alabama resident should know as much as they can about these wood-destroying insects. Here are a few tips from the experts at Havard Pest Control.
Signs Termites May Give You
If you have subterranean termites in your yard or inside your home, there are a few ways you may be able to detect them. Keep in mind that these signs are subtle, and you may have to get dirty to find them.
Shelter Tubes — Worker termites live in the ground and come up from the ground to attack your home. When they do, they may have to create shelter tubes. These tubes are made from saliva and soil. Look for them in the crawl space under your home, underneath your deck, under your porch, and in any dark places around, or underneath your home.
Activity — If you have a stump, log, tree with heart rot, rotting fence, decaying deck, woodpile, or something similar, you may be able to find termites inside these by cutting into them. If you cut a piece off and find tunnels inside, or tiny white insects that look a little bit like ants, you've found an active infestation.
Tap Wood — If termites are creating tunnels inside a support beam, you may be able to detect them by tapping the wood. A thick timber will sound hollow if there are tunnels inside.
Swarmers — This is not a great way to find out you have an infestation, but it is important that you are aware of it. Swarmers are created by a mature nest that has been active for several years. If you see tiny black insects with long white wings that stack on top of each other, they are a warning sign of a current and active, mature infestation.
Tips For Preventing Termites
There is no way to prevent termites one hundred percent, but you can deter them. Use these tips to make your property less inviting to termites.
- Remove sources of rotting or dead wood from your land.
- Replace moisture-damaged wood on your home or other structures.
- Never bury wood on your property.
- Reduce conditions that cause soil to be damp or moist.
- Reduce shaded areas.
- Seal gaps, cracks, and holes in your exterior.
How To Get Complete Protection
There is no better way to protect your property than to invest in professional termite protection. If you live in our service area, contact Havard Pest Control and request an inspection to get started. We can guide you in selecting the right services for your specific needs and budget. When you choose Havard Pest Control for your termite control, you prevent the unwanted surprise of termite damage. Get your protection in place today.