Termites In The Woodlands: An In-Depth Guide To Identification And Control

Did you know that the termite is the "number one urban pest" in Texas? There are approximately 45 various termite species found throughout the United States. Termites consume cellulose, a primary material found in wood, many paper products, and vegetative materials. The Woodlands two most problematic termite species are subterranean termites and drywood termites. 

Are you wondering how to deal with termites eroding your home's wooden parts? Seek assistance from Modern Pest Control, a local pest control provider. Modern Pest Control will perform a thorough property assessment and determine if termites are consuming the wood in your home. An experienced pest control in The Woodlands company understands how to eliminate termites generating costly property damage. 

How To Identify Signs Of Termites

How small are termites? Subterranean termites are typically smaller, measuring between 1/8 to 3/8 of an inch long. Drywood termites have a slightly larger body that often reaches or exceeds 1/2 of an inch. Usually, drywood termites that invade homes target areas around exterior doors and windows. 

Are you wondering how to tell if you have termites damaging a wooden structure on your property in The Woodlands? Despite often living in massive colonies, termites work quietly and are often obscured from view by soil or wood. 

Using a flashlight, inspect the area of the home where the soil meets the foundation or around any crevices in concrete floors. One indicator of subterranean termite activity is the presence of patterned mud tubes or tunnels that extend downward to underground nests. Interior walls containing termites sound hollow when tapped on with a screwdriver. Other termite signs include buckling floors, windows, and doors that are hard to open, sagging floors, and termite droppings.  

Why Termites Infest Wooden Structures

Termite season in The Woodlands area can start as early as February, and they can swarm into September. That said, termites can remain active most of the year. 

Does wood attract termites? Yes! Termites feed on cellulose, which is an essential part of the wood. They will eat untreated soft and hardwood. Termites can't live without moisture. If the hardwood doesn't have any moisture, they aren't able to chew through it.

Five Practical Termite Prevention Tips For Homes

What are some of the best termite prevention strategies for property owners in The Woodlands? Consider some of the following tips to limit the likelihood of experiencing a termite intrusion:

1. Subterranean termites require moisture; thus, you should prevent pooling water by fixing leaky spigots and cleaning or repairing clogged or damaged gutter systems.
2. Keep basements and crawl spaces ventilated to limit excess moisture and use a dehumidifier when necessary.
3. Install a barrier that prevents termites from accessing any wooden areas around the base of the structure from the soil, such as a layer made of stone or a similar durable material.
4. Promptly remove tree branches and other types of wood material and vegetation from the yard area.
5. Move firewood storage piles away from the home's exterior.

Most local property owners that successfully prevent termites from invading their properties adopt a multi-point strategy that limits direct access to wooden parts of their home, minimizes moisture, and limits attractants in exterior yard areas. 

The Pros To Know For Total Termite Control In The Woodlands

Since 1952, Modern Pest Control has remained among The Woodlands' leading providers of residential termite solutions for property owners. After receiving an inquiry from a local property owner, we will deploy a trained termite control professional to the premises for a detailed property assessment. Some of our solutions for drywood termites include foam injection, borate treatment, and others that we always back with a one-year warranty. 

Modern Pest Control controls and eliminates termites using Sentricon® System bait stations. These stations containing Recruit HD termite bait are placed strategically around your property and will attract termites looking for a food source. Contact our team of local professionals today for solutions. 

With over sixty-five years of pest control experience, Modern Pest Control is ready to tackle termites in your The Woodlands home. Schedule a free inspection today.