Do termites bite? Do termites come back after treatment? There are a lot of unanswered questions about subterranean termites, but here's what Rockville homeowners should know about termites. We will cover how to deal with mud tubes around your foundation, how much damage termites can cause, four things homeowners should know about termites, and why you should always call pest control in Rockville to help.
The Dreaded Mud Tubes Running Along Your Foundation
One of the most prominent signs of termites in your home, specifically subterranean termites, is mud tubes running around your home's foundation. Termites create and use these mud tubes to connect their underground colony to the food source they're eating above-ground.
Not only are the tubes convenient, but they also lock in moisture and allow termites to travel without ever being exposed to the open air.
How Much Damage Can Termites Cause?
Since they feed and nest in wood, termites can cause a lot of structural damage to your home. While this may not happen immediately, many termite infestations can go unnoticed for years, which gives them plenty of time to do damage.
As the infestation continues to grow, large colonies can devour up to a pound of wood per day. Unless the infestation is treated, termites can end up costing you hundreds or thousands of dollars in property damage that is often not covered by homeowners insurance.
Four Things Every Homeowner Ought To Know About Termites
There's a lot to know and understand about termite infestations, but here are the four essential things that every homeowner needs to know:
- Termites don't require sleep, which means they can work all day (and night) to eat through your wood, grow their colonies, and cause more damage.
- Termites can sometimes be mistaken for ants, given their similar sizes and body shapes. However, termites tend to have thin waists, straight antennae, and pale coloring that you won't find on most ants. Since these two types of pests are also natural enemies, you're unlikely to deal with both ants and termites at the same time.
- Termites communicate with each other through vibrations. When they need to say something to the rest of the colony, termites will bang their heads against the walls. Not only do the rest of the termites hear this racket, but if the colony is big enough, you might too.
- Subterranean termites are the most common type of termite in the country, but it's also possible to deal with drywood or dampwood termites too. Termites can be territorial, so you'll likely only deal with one type of termite, not multiple kinds.
These are all essential things to understand, but the most critical of all is the importance of getting professional help to get termites out of your home.
Why Not Calling The Termite Professionals Is A Big Mistake
You may assume that you can deal with termites on your own, but most DIY termite control isn't very effective and will only give the infestation more time to damage your home. Instead of trying to solve it on your own, the best way to get rid of termites in Rockville is by working with the pros at Womack Pest Control.
If you think you may have termites or you're seeing mud tubes around your foundation, there's no reason to wait – contact us today at Womack Pest Control to learn more about how our termite control program works.