Termite Identification & Prevention

What are termites?

Termites are best described as a homeowner's worst nightmare. These tiny insects are responsible for billions of dollars in damage across the country each year.

Termites are social insects that live and work together in large groups. Though individual termites may be small, their impact is significant when hundreds of thousands of termites work together.

One of the most widespread termite species and the most problematic pest species in the Arlington area is the subterranean termite. Subterranean termites have high moisture needs and to survive they have to nest under the ground in areas of damp soil. These termites move from the nest to a food source each day through the soil or mud tubes they have created.

Are termites dangerous?

Termites are one of the few organisms able to feed on the cellulose found in wood. Their voracious appetites mean that when they find their way into our Texas homes, they can cause significant and costly damage. Termites aren’t a danger because they are directly harmful to people; they are a danger because of the amount of structural damage they can cause inside homes and other structures.

Why do I have a termite problem?

Termites nest outdoors and are attracted to areas that provide them with both moisture and easy access to food sources. Yards with leaf piles, woodpiles, fallen trees, decaying trees, and tree stumps provide termites with reliable food sources. Poor drains, leaking pipes or irrigation systems, and faulty gutters offer them water sources.

Nesting termites can travel from a neighboring property onto your property while foraging for food.

New nesting sites are created after a termite swarm. Termite swarms are when winged reproductive termites swarm from a mature colony to find a mate and create a new nest. Witnessing a termite swarm or finding piles of their wings is an indicator that a termite's nest is on or near your property.

Where will I find termites?

While out foraging for food, termites often wind up in our homes, moving inside through spaces they come across in the foundation or pieces of wood directly sitting on the ground. After moving inside your home, they will migrate and infest pieces of structural wood. Since these termites have high moisture needs, the wood they infest is typically located near water pipes, doors, windows, ceilings, sinks, or tubs.

Termites move into our homes without notice and work unnoticed for months or years. Usually, a termite infestation is found, not by seeing the actual termites, but by noticing the damage they have caused.

Things like windows and doors, not openings or closing properly, holes in the exterior of walls, bubbling paint or wallpaper, and spongy feeling floors can be signs of a termite problem.

How do I get rid of termites?

Termites are destructive pests that are active year-round in Texas and won’t hesitate to move onto any property that provides them with their necessities. Guarding your home against termites is necessary to stop the costly damage they can cause. The best way to combat termites is with the help of a knowledgeable and local professional. At All Seasons Pest Control, we are a full-service termite control company dedicated to our customers, treating them like family, and providing the best customer service in the business.

Learn more about ridding your Arlington area property of termites through our safe, effective, and eco-friendly pest control options. Please reach out and give us a call today!

How can I prevent termites in the future?

Stop termites from taking over your Texas property using our most effective termite prevention tips.

• Make sure your foundation is free of cracks or other defects; repair any openings you do discover.
• Create a crushed stone barrier between any soil and your foundation.
• Cut back landscaping from your foundation to keep the soil dry and make the perimeter of your home less attractive to termites. 
• Limit wood to soil contact on your property.
• Repair any leaky pipes, damaged irrigation systems, and damaged gutters.
• Use dehumidifiers and eliminate excess water in your home that could cause wood rot. 
• If any wooden beams or other wooden structures in your home become damaged by water, remove them and replace them with sound wood.