Termites are well-known as household pests, but how much do you know about them? To protect your home against termites, you’ll need to understand why they infest homes. That’s why we here at Arenz Pest Management believe in integrated pest control. When homeowners and pest control technicians work together, homes are better protected against pests. If you need termite and pest control in St. Louis, call Arenz Pest Management. We keep pests out of homes so you can live in peace.
Damage Termites Can Cause In St. Louis
Termites are wood-eating insects that infest homes across the country. Hundreds of thousands of homes nationwide deal with termite damage each year, which costs billions of dollars in property damage. Subterranean termites, the most commonly seen in St. Louis, are the most destructive of all termites. When colonies go unchecked, they continue to grow and cause more damage, ultimately leading to structural issues.
How To Spot Swarming Termites
Subterranean termites have a caste system of reproductive, soldier, and worker termites. The reproductive caste includes the queen, king, and alates (also called “swarmers”) and is the only termite with wings. Every spring, swarmers leave the colony to start their own. Males and females pair up and become the queen and king of their own colony.
Reproductive termites have dark brown bodies with long, translucent wings. Once they’ve started their colony, male alates (the new kings) shed their wings. You may see these discarded wings on the ground near a termite colony.
One of the most significant signs of a termite infestation is the presence of mud tubes on the side of your home. Subterranean termites need a connection to dirt to travel from their colony (underground) to the food source (your house). So, they build mud tubes up the side of your home to create a bridge.
Three Termite Prevention Tips You Could Try
Setting up your home to prevent termite infestations is an excellent way to protect your home from damage.
- Fix water issues
Damp wood is more susceptible to termite damage. It also contributes to structural damage. Diverting water away from your house’s foundation, repairing leaking pipes, and ventilating basements and crawlspaces are all steps to prevent termite infestations.
- Eliminate wood-to-soil contact
Subterranean termites need to travel through dirt to get to their food sources. Be sure to trim branches of trees or shrubs, so they don’t touch your house. Store firewood at least twenty feet from your home.
- Seal potential entry points
Holes, cracks, or gaps in your home’s walls and foundation can let termites and other pests inside. Take time to carefully inspect your house and cover anything that could allow termites to enter your home.
These termite prevention tips might not seem like much, but they can go a long way toward keeping termites out of your house. But when that isn’t enough, and you’re finding evidence of termite damage, it’s time to call in a professional team.
Why Every St. Louis Home Should Be Protected With Termite Control
Arenz Pest Management offers inspections and treatments in St. Louis. We know how important it is to have a secure, pest-free home. That’s why you are our priority. After an inspection, we’ll create a termite control plan centered on your needs. And we don’t just remove the termites. We want to make sure they don’t come back. That’s why Arenz Pest Management is your best option for termite control in St. Louis. We get the job done.
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