The Trick To Protecting Your Cypress Home From Termites

Termites are destructive wood-eating pests that are small in size but colossal in their ability to destroy. The trick to protecting your Cypress home from termites is to be as knowledgeable about these pests as possible. The more you know about termites and their habits, the more likely you are to effectively detect termite activity when it happens and promptly address the situation before it grows out of control.

To get you started in your termite control efforts, let's go over some of the basic ways you can identify termites. Termites range in size from 1/8 to 1 inch long, depending on their caste and specific function within the colony. Their bodies have two segments, a straight abdomen, two antennae, and six legs.

The coloration of termites varies from brown to black to white, depending on the stage of their lifecycle. For example, worker termites are a creamy, translucent color and are often said to look like white ants. As mentioned, the specifics of a termite all depend on the life stage of the termite and what caste they eventually join.

Termites live in intricate social structures, and a caste system separates their large colonies. The castes act as a distinct division within the colony. Each caste has a specific task to perform, and their characteristics adapt according to their particular function. There are three main castes in a termite colony:

Workers – These are the most common type of termites in the colony, and they're the ones that gather food, tend to eggs, repair the nest, and keep things running smoothly.
Soldiers – These termites are the guards of the colony, doing what is necessary to protect the queen and the nest, and stop intruders from entering.
Reproductive – These are royal members of the colony. They fly around and mate, nesting in new places and creating new colonies. There are a handful of kings but only one queen per colony.

The termite caste system outlined above helps the colony operate efficiently. Most termites stay in their caste, but soldiers can turn into workers or reproductive termites if there is a shortage of individuals in other groups. Continue reading to learn more about termite colonies and why securing pest control in Cypress is essential for your safety and well-being.

Why You're Not Likely To See Termites Around Your Home

Something you should know about termite infestations in Cypress is that they tend to go unnoticed for long periods of time. Termites are skilled hiders, and damage happens slowly and gradually that most homeowners aren't even aware there's a problem.

If you're unable to notice signs of termite activity promptly, the scope of the damage can worsen until it becomes a severe problem. That's why we encourage property owners to understand the common indications of a termite infestation. Here are some telltale signs of termite damage that can indicate a possible infestation.

Damaged Wood – If wood is damaged, it usually makes a hollow sound when you knock on it, and it's so weak that one can easily pierce it with a screwdriver. When termites cause damage to wood, they leave pellets and piles of powder where they burrow, so these are pretty indicative. Termites also produce moisture when they feed, which can warp wood, causing doors and windows to become too tight to close correctly.
Gallery Tunnels – Termites are skilled at making intricate tubes to shelter themselves between nests and feeding sites. They use their saliva to combine dirt and mud to create little passageways that allow them to travel safely and access the foundation of your house.
Strange Sounds – There are a variety of sounds associated with the presence of termites around our home. If you put your ear close to the wall, you can hear the worker termites eating through the wood, producing little munching noises. They're also known to bang their heads against the wood to warn the others of danger, so you may hear little clicking sounds on the walls.
Swarmer Termites – If you see active swarmer termites, you likely have an infestation. Swarmer termites that are a part of the colony's reproductive caste are the only variety with wings and the ability to see. They're known to fly around in sizable groups, seeking a place to nest and build a new home. You can often find their cast-off wings on the floor near doors and windows because they're attracted to light.
White Ants – Often, when people think they are seeing white ants, they are termites! Worker termites have a light, cream-colored body. So, if you see ants that look white, they are likely termites.

As you can see, there are many different signs that indicate the presence of termites. Whatever indications there may be around your property, it's important to be aware of them so you can address the problem as soon as possible. If you let the infestation go untreated, the results can be monumental.

The Extent Of Damage Termites Can Silently Do To Your Home

When we think about termites, our mind goes straight to the large-scale property damage they can cause, but these wood-eating pests have some benefits. Within the ecosystem, termites are helpful in soil fertilization and forest regrowth. As they decompose rotting wood and dead trees, they compost the soil allowing new trees to regrow faster. They also help to aerate the soil, giving roots easier access to nutrients and water.

However, we're not here to praise these pests. The fact of the matter is that termites can cause large-scale property damage. Termites are cellulose-feeders that eat common construction materials that make up the structure of your home. These wood-eating pests compromise the build of your home by moistening it as they feed, weakening it from the inside out. They eat away at moisture-damaged wood around your property, threatening the structural integrity over time.

Eventually, termites can erode the structural timbers of your house, making it an unsafe environment for you and your loved ones. Not only is termite damage a massive threat to your safety, but it can also be a huge financial problem. The damage can cost homeowners hundreds of thousands of dollars every single year. The NPMA (National Pest Management Association) estimates that U.S. property owners pay around five billion dollars yearly on termite repair and prevention costs.

What's worse is that most homeowners' insurance plans don't cover termite damage, leaving you even more vulnerable to the consequences. The only method of effective termite control is to get help from a professional team of pest experts. That's why we're here. Modern Pest Control is here to rid your home of termites and keep them out for good.

How To Identify And Remove Factors That Attract Termites

When it comes to effective termite control, it's essential to understand the factors that bring these pests onto your property in the first place. Various attractants around your home can make your property more susceptible to an infestation of termites. If you want to make your home less attractive to termites, there are a number of things to pay attention to:

Wood-to-soil contact – Pay attention to the distance between your home and any soil or wood surrounding it. Termites burrow through their self-made tunnels to access the foundation of a house and gain entry.
Easy access to your home – If your home's exterior/foundation has cracks and crevices, termites can easily get inside. That's why sealing potential entrances with caulk or weather-stripping can block them from getting in.
Space around doors and windows – You'll also want to pay attention to entry points around doors, windows, roof shingles, soffits, facias, and box ends. Mortar can help seal up these spaces.
Excess moisture – Termites are moisture pests that are drawn to and need water to survive. That's why any sources of excess moisture make your property extremely susceptible to termite activity.
Sources of humidity – It's a good idea to make sure your HVAC unit and your vents are working correctly to monitor moisture and humidity levels around your home.

All these attractants can significantly contribute to termite infestation around your home, so it's crucial to monitor conducive conditions around your property all year long. Here are some preventative tips to help you keep termites away from your home:

Always keep your soil well drained to reduce moisture.
Apply loose mortar or weather stripping around doors and windows.
Avoid any wood-to-soil contact throughout the property.
Divert water from the house by maintaining functional gutters.
Eliminate excess moisture around the property.
Examine any wood or wooden items brought onto your property.
Fix leaky pipes, faulty faucets, and plumbing issues.
Get rid of any rotting or moisture-damaged wood.
Grow indoor plants that are known for absorbing humidity.
Install a dehumidifier in moisture-rich areas of the house.
Keep woodpiles and wooden structures a reasonable distance from the home.
Make sure downspouts extend away from the house.
Monitor mulch distribution as mulch contains moisture.
Reduce excess moisture throughout the property.
Service your HVAC unit regularly to control moisture levels.
Turn off outdoor lights, as they attract termites to light sources.
Use vent fans in moisture-rich areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.

Despite your best efforts, it can be overwhelming to deal with termites on your own, and staying on top of everything isn't easy. The most intelligent and efficient way to deal with a termite infestation is to call in professionals. Not only do we eliminate termite activity, but we also make sure to reduce attractants around your home to keep you protected on a continuing basis.

The Best Form Of Termite Protection For Your Home

Whatever the nature of your termite infestation, Modern Pest Control is here to help. We address all kinds of termite problems; whether you are currently noticing signs of termite activity around your property or you're just seeking dependable protection for the future, we've got you covered.

Our team of highly experienced pest technicians will conduct a comprehensive inspection of your property and then come up with a customized plan to treat your termite situation. After that, we return for follow-up services throughout the year. Our termite control process includes:

One of our licensed pest control technicians arrives at your home to conduct a complete interior and exterior inspection, looking for signs of termite activity and entry points, conducive conditions, and active areas.
After we finish inspecting the premises and detecting the scope of the infestation, we develop a customized treatment strategy to tackle your termite problems from the inside out effectively.
Treatments are customized to meet the needs of the individual customer, their specific property, and the level of infestation in their home. We install Sentricon® stations at precise intervals around your property.
The Recruit HD termite bait attracts termites, causing them to leave a scent trail that entices the rest of their colony. They take this bait back to their colonies, effectively eliminating the population.
After treating your property from top to bottom to effectively address your infestation, we come back for re-services to ensure things stay pest-free throughout the year.

From start to finish, we're here to deliver termite-free results. Throughout the entire process, we work hard to bring you an unparalleled level of customer satisfaction. We take care of termites in the home, and the lawn, wood, and soil using trusted brand name products like Sentricon® to bring you guaranteed results.

Sentricon® is a green product that wipes out termite colonies using minimally active ingredients, and it's our preferred treatment method. We offer the following options:

Sentricon® Installation

Placing Sentricon® stations in the soil throughout your property targets the foraging nature of termite workers.
Stations filled with Recruit HD termite bait food sources will attract termites.
Termites leave scent trails to summon the rest of the colony.
Bait is taken back to the colony and eliminates all termites, including the queen.

Ongoing Termite Protection

Sentricon® systems monitor the property for new termite activity.
It offers continuous protection from these destructive wood-eating pests.

All our treatments are customized to meet your needs because your satisfaction is the most important thing. Get in touch with the experts at Modern Pest Control to discuss your termite control and prevention needs. We've been in the business since 1952, and our commitment to quality has never wavered. With over 70 years of experience in the pest control industry, you can count on us to bring you lasting results.