Amazingly, there are nearly 3,000 subspecies of Termites found on earth today. There have been documented cases of termite infestation in every U.S. State except Alaska, but termites are only rarely found above an elevation of 10,000. Although Termites provide great benefit by helping to decompose wood and cellulose in our natural environment, they are responsible for more than $2 Billion in damage to homes and structural buildings in the United States each year and are considered to be the most destructive of all insects on earth. Termites in Texas cause more damage to residential homes each year than fire, water and windstorm combined.
A home often represents people’s most valuable asset. Accordingly, great care should be taken to protect the home and safeguard it against damage from pests and wood-destroying insects. Following is a list of things which homeowners can do to take action to prevent the damaging effects of termite infestation.
Homeowners should be vigilant. Care should be taken to watch for signs of infestation. Visible signs of infestation include: the development of mud tunnels, or shelter tubes, which termites build to conceal themselves while traveling between their nest and food source.
Homeowners should work to mitigate or remove “conducive conditions” for wood-destroying insect infestation. Conducive conditions include wood-to-soil contact in or around the home, leaking pipes, faucets or areas which contain excessive moisture.
Homeowners should seek a professional opinion regarding any suspicious-looking evidence of infestation, including swarming of winged insects, development of mud tunnels, or any unusual bubbling or cracking in the paint, wallpaper or wall-covering inside the home. The cost for a thorough inspection by a licensed inspector pales in comparison to the potential costs of repair and extensive remediation, should a problem not be detected and diagnosed early.
Most new-construction homes today are built using pressure-treated wood, which is resistant to infestation by wood-destroying insects. Many builders pre-treat the soil beneath and surrounding the home, which offers added protections. However, even the most potent termiticides available in the commercial marketplace today have a limited lifespan. Homeowners cannot expect more than 10-12 years of residual effectiveness following application of any pesticide designed for the treatment of termites.
Accordingly, homeowners should educate themselves regarding the telltale signs of infestation by wood-destroying insects, and they should waste no time in contacting a licensed Termite Inspector to obtain an expert opinion concerning whether an infestation has occurred, and what steps should be taken to remedy the problem, if necessary.
For questions or further information, call: Utah Termite Inspection Specialists, LLC at (801) 548-4616
