Termites
Spring and Summer are the high times to think about bugs and pest control. One of the most frightening for homeowners is the termite. Not only do they cause extensive damage, it can go undetected for a long time. Its important to know what to look for and how to prevent them in the first place. Knowing some common misconceptions is also particularly important, knowing exactly why they are there in the first place and what damage they can actually do. Here are some common misconceptions about termites:
MYTH: TERMITES ARE PART OF THE ANT FAMILY.
Fact: While termites and ants are sometimes mistaken for each other, they belong to entirely different insect groups. The two have very different lifestyles and purposes in the animal kingdom.
MYTH: TERMITE INFESTATIONS ARE EASY TO DETECT.
Fact: Termites are silent pests, invading homes with very few warning signs. Often, by the time a termite is spotted, they have caused some damage to a home. They hide in small cracks and crevices, making them hard to detect to the average homeowner. It takes a licensed, trained professional to spot termite damage. Termites seldom break through the surface of wood but instead hollow it out from the inside, leaving most of the damage undetected. Because there are few visible warning signs, termite activity and the resulting damage can go undetected for years.
MYTH: TERMITES SERVE NO PURPOSE, THEY SIMPLY EXIST TO DESTROY.
Fact: While termites are known to destroy homes, they serve a great purpose in nature. Termites serve as a natural recycling system, helping to break down fallen trees and dead wood into nutrient-rich soil that helps other plants to grow. They only cause trouble when invading a residential area. Otherwise, they are an important part of our ecosystem.
MYTH: TERMITES CAN EAT THROUGH CONCRETE.
Fact: Termites are strong creatures, but not strong enough to eat through concrete. However, concrete often is not a sufficient barrier to prevent termites from reaching the wooden parts of a house. All poured concrete foundations contain small cracks, which termites squeeze themselves through. Once they discover a food source, termites will build mud tunnels to protect worker termites as they travel back and forth from the food source to the colony. So, even if you have a concrete foundation, it’s important to get regular termite inspections to make sure no termites have made their way through.
MYTH: IF A HOUSE HAS BEEN TREATED FOR TERMITES ONCE, YOU DON’T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THEM EVER AGAIN.
Fact: Termite inspections play a crucial role in keeping your house maintained. Once an initial inspection has been done, make sure to schedule regular inspections to catch any termite activity early to be able to provide treatment early. It is recommended that a termite inspection be performed once a year to be most effective.
MYTH: DIY TERMITE TREATMENTS REPLACE PROFESSIONAL EXTERMINATION
Fact: Simply put, do-it-yourself termite treatments will not produce the results you desire. While DIY methods seem like the most affordable and simple way to eradicate termites, it will ultimately lead to the problem growing. The chemicals that homeowners have access to aren’t strong enough to take out a termite colony. Even if a homeowner accesses the right chemicals, only a professional possesses the knowledge and expertise to effectively target infested areas. Attempting to treat termites yourself may put yourself and your family in danger.
MYTH: TERMITES ARE ONLY ACTIVE IN WARMER MONTHS
Fact: Termites are active all year round, just a little slower in the cold months. Therefore it is important to look for them all year round.
When in doubt, it’s always best to have a trained professional take a look. The service call for them to come out far outweighs the potential damage that could be hiding in uninspected walls. Stay safe and keep your family and your home protected!
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