Termite infestations are notorious for how quietly they spread. It’s often very hard to detect a termite infestation early on, so homeowners will have to rely on other signals. One of these signals could be the presence of an infestation in one of your neighbors’ buildings.
How termites spread through the neighborhood
When one of your neighbors has an infestation, there is a chance that your home may be infested as well. It’s not guaranteed though, but the best way to play it safe is to have a pro perform an inspection on your property.
Different termite species spread differently. Subterranean termites for example have large underground colonies, and they send out scouts to look for pieces of wood. If the colony is located on your neighbor’s property, there is a chance that it infested both yours and your neighbor’s home.
Drywood and dampwood termites on the other hand build their colonies inside the wood that they infest, and they create new infestations using swarmers. Swarmers are reproductive flying termites, which set out of a mature colony in search for new wood. If a swarm reaches your neighbor’s home, it may have reached yours as well. On top of that, if the colony in your neighbor’s home is mature, it will send out swarmers of its own looking for nearby wood.
Pest control companies have also noticed an increase in infestation rates in a neighborhood during new building construction projects. The reason for this may be that each acre of land contains as many as ten active subterranean termite colonies, which can get quite large. As the foundation of a new home is being dug, one or more of these colonies may be disturbed, causing them to spread out through the area, and establish new colonies and infestations.
What to do if you neighbor has a termite infestation
If your neighbor has a termite infestation, the best thing that you can do is to call over a pro for a termite inspection. Detecting an infestation early on is the best way to ensure that termite damage is mitigated and that your repair costs will be low. A pro will be able to locate an infestation quickly and then recommend a course of action to get it under control. Contact us today for a termite inspection or if you have any questions about the termite control process.