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This is a question we get asked a lot. Termites have developed quite a reputation for destroying homes. But just how harmful are termites in Tennessee? Well, that is a hard question to answer because there are many factors involved. Let's look at some of those factors and see what we can learn that will help us protect our Lebanon homes from these wood-destroying insects.
Obvious or Not Obvious
Subterranean termites aren't going to destroy your home in days or weeks. It is going to take months and years. The more obvious those termites are, the less damage they'll be able to do. Here are two obvious signs of a termite infestation that will help you catch those insects red-handed.
Shelter tubes. While worker termites create shelter tubes in hidden locations, every once in a while they'll create one where you can see it. If you see a shelter tube on the side of your foundation, it could save you a lot of money.
Swarmers. These are the only termites in a termite colony that don't stay hidden from view. Recognizing swarmers when you see them can prevent termites from feeding on your home for years.
Wet vs Dry
When termite swarmers are searching for new locations to establish new nests, they're looking for ideal conditions. One condition that makes a location ideal is moisture. Worker termites require a lot of moisture. If you have moisture around your Lebanon home, it will be more inviting to termites. As you probably know, your home won't be destroyed by a single termite. It will take hundreds or thousands of termites to do serious damage. Controlling moisture can help to reduce the number of termites in your yard. Here are two ways moisture problems can develop.
When gutters are broken or obstructed they can cause water saturation near your foundation walls.
When you have excessive areas of shade, it can prevent the sun from drying the ground around your home after it rains. Trimming tree branches can help let the sunlight in.
Sound Wood vs Decaying Wood
The most destructive termites in the United States are subterranean termites, which just happen to be the termites we have in Lebanon. These termites prefer decaying wood or wood that has been softened by moisture. If you have decaying wood in your yard, such as stumps, logs, firewood, etc. these will attract the interest of subterranean termites. The more termites you draw into your yard, the greater damage they can do.
We hope this article has been helpful. If you need assistance with a termite infestation or you'd like to prevent termite damage with proactive termite control, remember that the Lebanon pest control experts here at All-American Pest Control are standing by to assist you.