Termites are a well-known home invading pest that destroys homes and businesses right under the owner's feet. While they are a common invader, often they are misunderstood by the people whose homes they infest, leading to more damage and severe infestations.
For Hampton Roads residents that want to protect their home against termites, it is crucial to know the truth about this pest and how to get rid of them if they make a home on your property.
Two Myths About Termites And Their Purpose
Many people don't know what purpose termites serve or what kind of insect they are. However, knowing this information can help prevent them:
1. Myth: Termites serve no purpose; they exist to destroy:
Truth: Termites are important decomposers, breaking down decaying wood and other plant matter. Decomposers are essential in returning nutrients into the soil, which allows new life to grow.
2. Myth: Termites are part of the ant family:
Truth: While termite swarmers, flying reproductive members, are often confused for flying ants, they aren't relatives to ants. Instead, they are related to roaches. The misidentification of termites as ants can be detrimental to a home that has an infestation.
Three Myths About Termites And Infestations
Termite infestations are unlike any other pest infestation, including how they are detected on a property. How you locate the termites is essential to know if you hope to stop infestations or before they exacerbate.
1. Myth: If I have a lot of mulch or decaying wood, will nearby termites leave my home alone?
Truth: Decaying wood or mulch near your property does not ensure this pest won't make its way into your home. Inspect your home's foundation; it can help you catch an infestation early. If the wood has small holes, sounds hollow, or is crumbling, you should be concerned that your home might have termites.
2. Myth: Termite infestations are easy to detect:
Truth: termite infestations are challenging to detect. Termites can go months and years without being noticed, which is one reason damage can be so extensive. Termites are difficult to detect because they live underground or inside the wood, depending on the species.
3. Myth: Termites can eat through concrete:
Truth: termites cannot eat through concrete. Many people believe they can because they usually get into a home through the foundation. However, this happens because there can be cracks and gaps that they can squeeze through. Subterranean termites use mud tubes to travel from the moist soil into a property for food. You can often find mud tubes on a home's foundation.
Two Myths About Treating Termites
Treating termites is just as complicated, if not more, than detecting them. But treating a termite infestation is essential to keeping your home protected.
1. Myth: If a house has been treated for termites once, you never have to worry about termites again:
Truth: Termites can re-infest a property. This is especially true for homes that still have decaying wood that is attracting the termites in the first place. The only way to keep your home guarded against termites is with ongoing control and inspections.
2. Myth: You can get rid of termites on your own:
Truth: Termites are challenging to get rid of, and it is nearly impossible to get rid of an infestation on your own. Instead, contact the professionals at PESTOUT at the first sign of termite problems. Without our termite control methods, your Hampton Roads home can be termite-free. Call us at PESTOUT® today!