Knowing why subterranean termite infestations start can help you prevent infestations from happening in the future, and since subterranean termites can cause thousands of dollars of damage to the home, you can save a lot of money by simply implementing some preventive measures. In this article, we’re going to go over why infestations start and what you can do about them.
How subterranean termite colonies work
Subterranean termite colonies are built fairly deep underground, where they have access to as much moisture as they need, and where the temperatures do not get too low during the winter. These factors, along with the massive amount of room that these termites have at their disposal, allow the colony to grow to incredible sizes, often reaching millions of members. From this colony, subterranean termite scouts spread out in the surrounding area looking for pieces of wood to infest.
Indoor issues
Indoors, there are several issues which could lead to subterranean termite infestations. The first major issue is the presence of moisture near the wooden structures of the home, especially those found near the foundation. When wood has a high humidity content, it becomes soft, and this is the ideal wood for termites. Any moisture issues in the basement, or in the crawlspace of the home are very likely to lead to an infestation if there is a termite colony nearby. As such, it’s important to have proper ventilation, and to address any sources of humidity, such as leaky pipes, as soon as possible.
Outdoor issues
A subterranean termite infestation may start outdoors at first, with the termites moving indoors because they will intensify scouting efforts near the areas where they find suitable wood. For example, mulch can be a big issue, especially if it is very close to the foundation. Firewood piles can also be very appealing to termites, because they are often wet, and connected to the ground. To avoid an infestation indoors, make sure that there is no dead, humid wood close to the home.
Professional prevention options
There are a couple of professional prevention/control methods that can be implemented on your property. These methods include the chemical barrier and the baitings system, with the chemical barrier stopping an infestation before it reaches the home, and the baiting system killing off any new colonies that are started near your home. If you would like to know more information about these two methods, contact us today.