There are few pests that can cause as much structural damage to your home or business as termites. This is especially true in waterfront towns such as Severna Park and Arnold, MD. These discreet intruders can live on your property for years, munching away at your wood from the inside out without being detected. The average termite can eat up to 2% of its body weight in wood every day. While a new colony generally has about 100 termites, a mature colony has upwards of 200, 000 workers. This means even a small termite colony can wreak havoc on your property within a few months. And unless detected and controlled rapidly, termites can cause serious damage and cost you hundreds of thousands of dollars.
At Park Pest Control in Severna Park, we understand the impact a termite infestation can have on your property. This is why we offer the most advanced and comprehensive termite control solutions for homes in Severna Park, Arnold and Pasadena. Our team of termite exterminators will thoroughly inspect your property using hi-tech detection tools to pinpoint active infestations and detect potential threats. They will customize a highly effective Integrated Pest Management plan to eradicate the insects and reduce the chances of re-infestations.
How to Identify Termites: The Three Main Termite Species
Not all termites are the same. Different types of termites are attracted to different factors and environments. Similarly, these destructive critters require different forms of treatment to resolve their invasions. As such, homeowners should be able to identify different termite species and the factors that may attract them to their property.
Subterranean Termites
Belonging to the family Rhinotermitidae, subterranean termites are the most common pests that attack wood in Maryland. These silent destroyers are considered the most disastrous termite species as they chew on wood 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout the year. As their name suggests, subterranean termites live under the ground (in the soil) in massive colonies of 600,000 -1000000 termites. Infestations begin when worker termites locate a wooden structure in contact with soil. They build mud tubes from their nests in the soil, across the foundation walls of your property, and into the identified food source (aka the wooden structures in your home). These are typically what we have in Severna Park & Arnold, MD
Drywood Termites
Drywood termites belong to a family known as Kalotermitidae. This family typically consists of insect pests that feed on decaying plant material, wood, and dead trees. Drywood termites are a serious economic pest of seasoned wood, such as hardwood floors, structural timbers, furniture, and wooden frames. Unlike their subterranean counterparts, drywood termites do not require contact with the soil to thrive. Instead, these aggressive eaters are attracted to the dry wood above the ground. Drywood termite swarms can fly into your home via openings like open windows and establish a new colony in your wooden structures.
Dampwood Termites
Dampwood termites are a member of the family Hodotermitidae and Kalotermitidae. These structural pests typically live in decayed wood or dead trees with high moisture content. Dampwood termites do not require soil contact but need water and humid conditions to survive. Because they mostly infest rooting and moist wood, these pests are rarely found in homes and other man-made structures. That’s because the wood in these places does not meet their moisture requirements.
How to Identify a Termite Infestation?
Unfortunately, termite infestation signs are quite hard to spot. That’s because these tiny pests typically live in the soil or deep in the wood they’ve infested. In fact, termite damage can progress for 8-10 years undetected. And when termite activity eventually becomes apparent, it’s usually a sign that severe damage has already occurred.
While it’s hard to see the termites themselves, you’ll know you have been infested if you spot the following signs:
- Discarded wings or swarmers
Also known as alates, swarmers are the reproductive termites within the colony. Unlike other members of the colony (workers and soldiers), swarmers have two pairs of wings. They leave their old nests to start a new colony inside or outside your house. Swarmers shed their wings as soon as they find a mate and a new location to establish a colony. You can find termite swarmers or small piles of discarded wings on surfaces like window sills or near doors.
- Termite Mud Tubes
Mud tubes are a sign of subterranean termites, which are responsible for up to 95% of termite damage throughout the United States. These termites build mud tubes using tiny soil particles and debris. Often found near the home’s foundation, mud tubes serve as a bridge between termite nests and the wood in your house.
- Termite Droppings
Termite droppings are referred to as frass. These destructive little devils eat through your wood while leaving behind tiny fecal mounds. You can find these pellet-like droppings near kick-out holes in infested wood.
How to Prevent a Termite Infestation?
The most effective way to protect your home from termite threats is to apply a pre-construction termite treatment before the construction or renovation of your home. For existing homes Old Bay Pest Control Offers preventative termite treatments to stop termites before the enter your home.. We will apply a highly-effective and long-lasting subterranean termite barrier surrounding your home to keep the destructive pests away.
- Ensure proper drainage to keep the soil at your home’s foundation dry.
- Don’t store firewood or wood debris near your home.
- Wood must not be kept in direct contact with the soil
- Install plastic sheeting in crawl spaces to reduce moisture and humidity
- Regularly inspect your home and call a pest expert at first sight of an infestation.
Park Pest Control’s Professional Solutions for Termites in Severna Park and Arnold, MD
Park Pest Control invests heavily in highly trained and experienced exterminators to ensure your premises remains ahead of pest threats. We are the local Severna Park and Arnold pest control experts in termite control for homes and businesses. Our termite control professionals will thoroughly inspect your property using the most advanced technology and provide recommendations and solutions tailored to your termite pest problem Best of all we give an industry leading guarantee on our termite treatments.
If you suspect a termite problem or want to protect your property from the chances of an infestation, call us today and schedule an appointment with your Park Pest Control expert.
