In our service area, the type of termites we battle are called subterranean termites. These are the most destructive termites in the United States. They come up from the ground and feed on the inside of wood and other materials that contain cellulose. When they get into a man-made structure, they can feed for years without being detected. If you are aware of some of the locations they are likely to feed, you may be able to catch them before they do significant and irreparable damage to your property.
5 Places Subterranean Termites Target
- Water-damaged wood. Subterranean termites have a preference for damp, rotting wood. If you have damp conditions around the perimeter of your structure, these insects will take notice. When they do, they are likely to feed on your sills or sole plates. These are the horizontal timbers attached to your foundation; their proximity to the ground makes them an easy target for termites.
- Old wood. As wood ages, it becomes more appetizing to subterranean termites. Do you have an old fence, deck or staircase attached to your property? These are likely to be the first locations termites will feed.
- Untreated wood. If you have structures around or inside your property that are created from untreated wood, termites will be drawn to them. Flowerbed borders or objects in your landscaping that are made from untreated wood can lure subterranean termites in and increase the risk of an infestation inside your property.
- Wood that touches the ground. Soil-to-wood contact gives termites easy access to your property.
- Wood in areas of high humidity. Do you have a wet cellar? If you do, the timbers in your cellar are a prime target for subterranean termites.
Subterranean Termite Prevention
- Reduce moisture to prevent wood rot and termite infestation.
- Remove dead wood from your property to remove them as an attractant.
- Consider replacing wood borders around flower beds and ornamentals. Stone is a better option if you want to resist termites.
- Look for shelter tubes on hard surfaces. Subterranean termites create these tubes from the soil to the wood they are feeding on.
Routine inspections and moisture reduction can help to prevent termite damage but it doesn't provide the kind of protection that professional termite control/commercial-pest-control provides. If you are in our Greater Topeka service area, schedule a consultation with one of our termite control professionals. We'll give you the information you need to make an informed decision about how best to go about protecting your property from these destructive pests.