Termite Identification & Prevention

Termites are pests that feed indiscriminately on pieces of wood they come across. In nature, termites are natural recyclers helping to eliminate dead or damaged trees, logs, and organic debris. However, when termites find their way to our properties or into our homes, they quickly turn into unwanted, destructive pests.

The subterranean termite is the most common kind of termite to call Texas home. They are social, have high moisture needs, and prefer to feed on wet or decaying wood. Their large colony size makes them difficult to control and eliminate.

The Formosan termite is a specific type of subterranean termite and is often called the "super" termite. These termites live together in extremely large colonies and can nest above and below the ground. They can significantly damage a structure in as little as six months.

Termites pose a constant threat to homeowners in Georgetown. They are active year-round in Texas, and a problem with termites can occur in any structure that meets their needs.

The damage that termites can cause when feeding on a home's structural wood is difficult and costly to repair. One of the reasons why termites are so dangerous is because they can be inside and around our homes for months or years before you finally notice them or, more likely, their damage.

The best way to prevent the damage that termites can cause is to partner with a pest control professional that can identify and treat a termite infestation before significant damage occurs.

Termites can thrive in any Georgetown yard that offers them a place to nest and reliable food sources. Because subterranean termites are attracted to moisture and decaying wood, properties with poor drainage, wood debris, and dead trees are most prone to termite activity.

Damp soil around the perimeter of your home and wood making direct contact with the ground will draw exploring termites to your home. As they move around searching for food, they enter through cracks and crevices in your home's exterior. In our homes, things like a leaky pipe, wood debris in crawl spaces, or areas of poor ventilation can damage your home's structural wood and provide termites with a foraging site.

You won't find termites crawling across your kitchen counter like ants, flying around your head like a bee, or hanging out in the corners of your home like spiders. In fact, people rarely see termites because they nest and feed out of sight.

Subterranean termites live outside in the underground nests and travel to their found food sources daily. Formosan termites nest under the ground and above the ground on roofs (preferring flat roofs) or behind wall voids of a home.

Most homeowners have the same question, "how do I get rid of termites?" The answer to that common question is with the help of a local pest control professional. Georgetown Pest Control offers home pest control and commercial pest control services that will eliminate your current issues with termites. Our professionals then provide the ongoing support necessary to keep them away in the future. We design our termite control program based on your home and property's unique needs. For more information about termites in Texas and our termite control offerings, please call today.

Use the following tips in conjunction with professional pest control to prevent problems with wood-eating subterranean termites.

• Regularly inspect your home's foundation, roof, and exterior walls for defects that can provide entry points for termites.
• Repair cracks in your home's exterior using silicone caulk.
• Reduce excess moisture in your home using air-conditioners and dehumidifiers.
• Make sure crawl spaces are free of wood debris and adequately ventilated.
• Remove decaying or wet wood from your house.
• Remove wooden debris from your property, like fallen trees, tree stumps, and brush piles.

Call today if you want to learn more about termite control in Georgetown.