Spring has sprung here in Salt Lake City. Flowers are blooming, the weather is warming, and you are planning more time outdoors. But as the weather warms up, termites — the “silent destroyers” — also become more active. It is estimated that termites cause around $5 billion in damage annually, most of which isn’t covered by homeowner’s insurance. Termites are active year-round, but as the temperature rises, it's important to be on the lookout for termites around your Salt Lake City property.
Termite Facts And Figures
There are 2,000 species of termites that are known throughout the world. Termites live in colonies, usually underground or in wood near a water source. Termite colonies eat 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They can chew through wood, flooring, paint, furniture, and even wallpaper undetected. In many cases, by the time you see the evidence of a termite infestation, they have already done massive amounts of damage to your home or property. That is why it is important to be vigilant looking for signs of termites and to have annual termite inspections.
Termites aren’t all bad, though. They are excellent decomposers that have an important role in the natural forest ecosystem. Termites are one of the most efficient insects in the world at decomposing wood and plant material, turning it back into fertile soil, which helps new plants and trees grow more quickly. Their tunneling also helps aerate the soil, allowing water and nutrients to better reach root systems.
Termite Damage
If left untreated, termites can do serious damage to the structural integrity of your home. They can destroy the foundation, floor and ceiling joists, doors, and windowsills, as well as any other part of your home that is made of wood. Because termites usually start their destruction underground, it can take time for you to spot signs of a termite infestation on your property. But even if some of them are hard to notice, you should always be on the lookout for signs of termite damage in your home. Some of the most obvious signs include the following:
- Mud tubes that termites use to reach a food source.
- Frass, which is a fine, powder-like excrement that resembles sawdust.
- Paint that appears uneven or bubbled.
- Wood that sounds hollow when tapped.
- Discarded wings from swarmers. These wings are dropped when termites mate and establish a new colony.
Call The Professionals
While you should always remain vigilant for signs of a termite infestation around your home and property, prevention and treatment of termites should always be left to the professionals. Whether you are dealing with an active infestation or want to make sure termites don’t become a problem, contact our trained technicians at Pest Pro Pest Control. We'll start with a free inspection of your home, looking for signs of termite damage. If you have an active infestation, we will treat the problem using the best method for the situation. If you don’t have a current termite problem, we can prescribe a proactive maintenance plan that prevents termites from being a problem in the future.
If you are about to become a homeowner, whether buying or building, we can help with that, too. For those buying a home, we'll inspect the property and compile a Wood Destroying Insect/Organism report, which details any signs of termite damage in the property. If you are building your home, we offer pre-construction treatments as well, applying a preventive barrier to the foundation as it's built, keeping termites out before your home is even finished. Whether you are a current homeowner, buying, or building, let Pest Pro Pest control help protect your Salt Lake City home from termites.