It is common knowledge that termites are destructive pests. With just a little bit of research, you will find out that these insects cost Americans over five billion dollars each year. That is a lot to spend on such small creatures. The question is, beyond doing damage to homes, do termites cause any more problems? Are they harmful to humans as well? We have your answer here. This is what you should know about termites and how to keep them away from your Mobile home.
What Types Of Termites Live In Mobile?
Mobile is home to many species of termites. The three most common are Formosan subterranean termites, Eastern subterranean termites, and dark Southeastern subterranean termites. Of these three pests, Eastern subterranean termites are the most common and Formosan subterranean termites destroy homes the fastest due to their larger population size.
Within each colony of termites, there are three casts: workers, reproductives, and soldiers. Workers do the majority of wood destruction while eating food for their colony. Soldiers guard the colony by watching out for and fighting off other insect invaders. Reproductives are in charge of reproducing and are occasionally produced with wings. Winged reproductives are called swarmers and are tasked to leave their colony to mate and establish new colonies.
Why Termites Are So Destructive
If termites invaded your home right now, it would be months if not years before any serious damage would be noticed. This is due to their slow speed and methodical wood harvesting. This same slow pace, however, is what keeps termites from being spotted and allows them to tunnel through structural wood for longer periods of time. In most cases, homeowners do not notice anything is wrong until severe damage starts to show itself around their property.
The Threat Termites Pose To People
There is one breed of termite that lives in America and poses a health risk to people. They are called drywood termites and they threaten health with the frass (dry termite fecal matter) they push out of entry and exit holes. Fortunately, drywood termites are much less common in our area and much easier to spot inside homes. If an infestation of these pests gets out of control, however, people with respiratory problems might have breathing difficulties such as asthma attacks and allergic reactions.
How To Deter Termites From Your Home
Termites are drawn to properties that offer them easy access to food. Your goal to prevent termites should be to limit their access to these necessities. Here are some practical ways to do just that.
- Remove organic clutter and debris. This includes sticks, leaves, cardboard, paper, fallen trees, and stumps.
- Seal holes, gaps, and cracks in your home’s exterior foundation.
- Repair leaky piping and fixtures in and around your home.
- Make sure your gutters are properly channeling water away from your home’s exterior.
- Avoid using mulch that is high in wood content.
- Create a gap between exterior soil and your home’s structural wood.
- Use a dehumidifier indoors.
How The Professionals Handle Termites
Did you know that termite damage is not covered in most homeowners' insurance policies? It is usually listed as a “preventable” disaster. The only way to ensure your home isn’t destroyed by these pests is to invest in high-quality pest control services. At EnSec we offer long-term solutions to termite problems by establishing an industrial-grade, invisible treatment wall around your home’s exterior.
Call our team now to find out more about our termite control options or to schedule your Mobile property for a visit.