With more sunshine than rain, Salt Lake City, Utah, provides the perfect climate for outdoor activities. The Wasatch Mountains provide breathtaking scenery and allow people to relax while camping or exploring hiking, climbing, or mountain biking; snowboarding and skiing can stimulate your heart in the winter months. One pest in the area that may start exploring your home while you're off enjoying the great outdoors is the local termite. Without professional pest control services in Salt Lake City, the costs of repairing damages from termite activity may take a significant bite out of your activity budget.
The Life Cycle Of A Termite Colony
Termites are social insects that use three different caste systems to ensure the success of a colony. The reproductive caste hinges on adult "swarmers" (winged termites) who leave their nest to find mates to start a new colony. Upon finding a new home, females will begin laying eggs, eventually forming the worker caste. The worker caste is the largest of the three castes and is responsible for caring for members of the colony; they also look for food and maintain the living areas and mud tubes. Other termite eggs develop into the soldier caste; their job is to protect the colony from attack. Once colonies mature, the cycle begins again with swarmers leaving to start the reproduction cycle again. Sometimes new colonies become established close to or within area homes, making identifying their presence in your home imperative.
How To Identify Termites Damage
Because termites in Salt Lake City can cause structural damage to homes over time, homeowners must be vigilant. Periodic checks around your home for signs of termite damage can go a long way toward limiting termite damage.
Six signs of termite damage to watch for include:
- Weak and sagging floors
- Patches of dark, blistered wood
- Mounds of "sawdust" (termite feces)
- Hollow wood
- Paint/wallpaper with bubbling or sunken areas
- Crumbly wood
Removing termites from Salt Lake City homes is complicated and is best left to the professionals at Pest Pro Pest Control, but homeowners can contribute to their prevention. Knowing the factors that attract termites can help homeowners set up barriers to keep them from invading their homes.
Factors That Attract Termites To Your Home
Homes are constructed with all the yummy delights that active termites enjoy. Any product with cellulose (the main component in wood) is an immediate draw to hungry termites; they also need a moisture supply. One factor that attracts termites to homes is water accumulation around foundations. Another attraction is crawlspaces with insufficient ventilation; high humidity areas within homes also tempt termites to visit. Homeowners that bury wood debris or leave wood products lying on the ground give termites an open invitation to visit properties, and wood products that touch buildings can serve as a bridge for termites to access homes. Any cracks and crevices in your home's foundation left unsealed can provide the perfect gap that lures termites inside your home. While homeowners can attempt to fix weak spots around their homes by repairing areas that may attract termites, it doesn't guarantee they won't get inside. If termite prevention fails and termite problems arise, it is always best to use a pest professional like Pest Pro Pest Control to maintain a vigilant watch on your home and property.
The Best Way To Protect Your Home From Termites
To set up the best protection plan against termites in Salt Lake City, homeowners should use a pest company experienced in termite habits and behaviors. Established in 2010, Pest Pro Pest Control is a family-owned and operated company that uses safe and consistent services with the most advanced and practical termite control solutions in Salt Lake City. Termites need special care from seasoned professionals like Pest Pro Pest Control; call us today to end your termite headaches and to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Salt Lake City.