It is likely that you know that termites can damage Reno homes. These insects are infamous. Do you know why they damage homes? The simple answer is that they eat wood. But there is much more to it than this. Let's take a look at a few important facts about subterranean termites and discuss how termite control in Reno can guard property against termite damage.
Why Termites Infest And Destroy Wooden Structures
Termites eat cellulose, and cellulose can be found in wood. Their preference is to eat cellulose from wood that is no longer part of a living tree. If you find a termite-infested tree on your property, it is an indication that the tree is dead or dying, but their preference doesn't end there. Not only do termites prefer wood that is dead, they like wood to be in a state of decay. If you understand this fact, you'll have a better chance of getting control of termites that come onto your property. We'll explain why in a moment. First, let's discuss the way a termite problem begins.
The Life Cycle Of Subterranean Termites
All termites start as workers. These are the only termites in a colony that will eat the wood in your Reno home. A worker can travel as far as the length of a football field to get food. For this reason, you can have workers from more than one colony feeding on your home at the same time. The more termites that nibble on your home, the more damage they'll do over time.
Termite workers may develop into reproductives and grow wings. A winged termite reproductive is called a swarmer. The appearance of termite swarmers around your property is an indication of an infestation. The reason it is an indication of an infestation is that swarmers don't travel far from the nest in which they hatched. In fact, worker termites are likely to forage for food farther than the flight range of a termite swarm.
If you want to protect your home from damage, you need to be vigilant and look for signs of termites in your yard. Termite workers and swarmers can alert you to active termites on your property.
Prevention Is Key To Effective Termite Control
Let's consider what we've discussed so far. Termites have a preference for decaying wood. Any wood in your yard that fits this description will be an attractant. When workers come into your yard to eat rotting wood, they may find their way into your home. Routine inspections can help to prevent this.
- Remove stumps, logs, and dying trees.
- As you remove stumps, logs, and dying trees, look for worker or soldier termites.
- Pick dead branches up and store them on a material that termites can eat through, such as plastic.
- As you pick dead branches up, inspect them for tiny pale-colored insects. Worker termites may be seen for a brief moment when dead branches are collected.
- Remove stacked wood, wood debris, wooden pallets, and other potential termite food sources, or store them on a material that keeps them separated from the ground.
- When you store wood on materials that termites can't eat through, they're going to have to create shelter tubes. Keep a watchful eye out for these mud structures.
- Remove leaves and other organic debris near your home. Organic debris can trap moisture and create moist conditions that are attractive to termites and that also promote wood decay.
- You may find shelter tubes on foundation walls or you might find termite workers and soldiers in your landscaping, due to this zone being humid.
- Keep watch for termite swarmers and shed wings left by swarmers after mating. When you see swarmers, there is a good chance termite workers are not far away.
Subterranean termites are sneaky. Keep watch for warning signs and take the time to perform a careful inspection of your property. If you don't have time to do this, you can have a professional perform annual inspections for you or have a termite control product installed around your home.
The Benefits Of Professional Termite Protection
Whether you choose to have annual inspections or ongoing termite control, it pays to hire a professional. The products and methods used by a professional are designed by entomologists and experts in the pest control industry. If you're in Reno, reach out to Celtic Pest Control for assistance. We perform Wood Destroying Insect (WDI) Inspections according to the Nevada Department of Agriculture guidelines and apply trusted and eco-friendly termite control products that have a track record of success. You'll always get the best service, advice, and treatment options when you have the service team here at Celtic Pest Control handle your Reno termite control. Connect with us today. We're here to help.
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