Termites

San Jose residents know termites are pesky insects. They might only be just a centimeter in size, but this tiny, little nuisance can cause immense structural damage to your property. The only problem is most homeowners don’t see or recognize the damage until these sneaky bugs have already taken over the home. Once they have the numbers on your property, they’ll be all that much harder to successfully eliminate.

At this point, most DIY methods aren’t going to work. DIY methods are always questionable when it comes to termites, but they are even more so when the numbers are so great. Therefore, early detection and elimination is always the best approach for this pesky gnawer. While our termite specialists are always more than willing to assist in any way we can, we’d like to see homeowners stop termites before they become a major problem.

All this aside, the very best way to do this is by learning as much as you possibly can about these troublesome pests.

Pertinent Information Regarding The Termite

Termites are extremely social insects. This not only means they live and work together, but it means they do everything together. Everything they do together is for the betterment of the colony and to please their queen. They work together towards the betterment of the colony, but their main goal is to produce swarmers that can fly off and start new colonies. The termite is highly known for munching on wood and wood products, but it’s the cellulose that draws these insects to the wood.

Interestingly enough, cellulose can be found in a wide range of products like cardboard, cotton fibers, furniture, and tons of other products. The thing that makes the termite such a formidable opponent is they build their initial colonies underground, about 300 to 400 feet away from the home. Instead of flying to the home, they will build underground tunnels that lead to and from the home, like the ant.

Termites do build secondary colonies, which are usually on or closer to the property. In fact, most of the time, they build their secondary colonies in wood structures in the home. When they do this, you’ll usually see mud tubes. These tubes provide access to the wood. This will be one of the telltale signs of an infestation.

Understanding The Types Of Termites

In San Jose, there are two primary species of termites that property owners must worry about. These would be the Subterranean termites and the Drywood termites. Both species are active in warmer climates. In fact, this is one of the reasons they are drawn to the San Jose area. You wouldn’t find either of these species in Alaska. They simply weren’t built to make it in those types of conditions. That aside, the Subterranean termite builds its colonies underground.

Although their colonies are underground, they need constant access to water and soil. The water is a bit tricker. The Drywood termite, on the other hand, prefers to live in wood above ground. They don’t need soil to survive but do need a steady supply of water.

Learning To Prevent Termite Infestations

The best way to deal with any type of pest, parasite, or insect is to stop them before they become a problem. Of course, this is a process that is never as easy as said. This is especially true for the termite. That being said, you can practice due diligence and it will pay off. One of the best ways to do that is to be cautious about areas where wood and soil meet. If you have a wood stove or fireplace, you’ll want to make sure you store your wood off the ground and away from the foundation of the home

You’ll also want to do the same with lumber, plants, or any plant-based products. Although you might not be able to keep plants off the ground, you can practice keeping them away from the foundation of the home. Another good idea is to always jump right on water leaks or standing water. Never let water stand on your property. This will not only draw termites but it’ll attract the attention of mosquitoes as well as a whole range of other unwanted invaders.

It is probably obvious that you want to seal any foundation cracks. Despite this, you’d be surprised at the number of homeowners that do not practice this simple method. Properly sealing cracks and crevices in and around the foundation can go a long way to keeping your home pest-free.

Spot The Early Warning Signs

There are early warning signs that can be an indication of termite infestation. However, you do not have to suspect that you are a victim to keep an eye out for these warning signs. Simply checking or keeping an eye out for these things can be an excellent preventive tactic. Start by keeping an eye on your wooden structures and beams.

If you see any blistering, this could be a sign of problems. If you do see blistering, give the beam, or structure a little knock. If you hear a hollow sound, termites have likely bored the structure out. If you see mud tubes on outer walls, beams, or even in the crawl space, this is a surefire sign of an infestation. As was mentioned earlier, this is how some species of termites access the cellulose in the wood.

Although most termites don’t fly, it is possible to catch a glimpse of winged termites flying around the home. These pests can usually be detected by windows, doors, and vents. They are looking for a way into the property to access wood where they can build a secondary colony. Termites initially build their colonies underground about 300 to 400 feet from the home, but when they reach maximum size, the winged reproductive members of the colony will swarm off. They’ll fly closer to the home looking for wooden structures they can burrow into and start new colonies. They’ll begin their entire process over again.

Interrupting Termite Damage Signs 

Believe it or not, but the type of termite damage you see in or around the property can tell you a lot. You might be able to determine the species of termite you are dealing with as well as the severity of the infestation. These are both great things to tell your local pest management professional. It’ll only help him or her with elimination efforts.

When dealing with Subterranean termites if the damage is apparent, it’ll likely mean that you have a large infestation on your hands. If the damage is less apparent, the infestation might be smaller and more contained. This species likes to build mazes in the walls that sometimes resemble that of water damage.

As for Drywood termites, you’ll want to keep an eye on damaged furniture and walls. If you see cracks or blistering, you’ll know you have a Drywood infestation on your hands. Either way, it means it’s time to get our San Jose office on the phone. We’ve been treating termites since we opened our doors and have adapted along with the times. We now offer cutting-edge solutions combined with tried and tested detection and elimination techniques.

Whether you suspect you have a problem, know you have a problem, or just want to talk to someone about termite management, feel free to give us a call. We always have someone standing by.

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