6 Facts About Termites Every Homeowner Should Know

January 06, 2021

Do you have a termite infestation in your home?

Often called the “silent destroyers,” termites are among the most common pests that infest homes in Austin, Dallas, and North Houston. These tenacious little critters can secretly hide and thrive in your walls or attic — and the worst part is that you may be entirely unaware of a termite problem until after incurring damage of colossal scale.

But wait! Before you put your battle gear on, it is important that you are familiar with your enemy. Surely you know that they eat wood and they are really creepy, but there is a lot more to termites than that you should know about.

Let Green Pest Guys help you with that.

In today’s blog, we will explore six little known facts about termites. Learning these will help you understand these wood-eaters better, so you can formulate better termite control strategies to eradicate them completely from your property and prevent any future infestation.

Termites Prefer Warmth

Like many of us, termites prefer to be in a cozy environment.

Termites tend to be more active when and where it is warm — between 75 °F and 95 °F — as they burrow underground while they wait out cold winter months. Warmer temperatures bring them to the surface in search of new food sources and shelter.

This means that termites are a year-round threat in warmer parts of Texas.

Termites Can Be Found Anywhere

While termites tend not to fare too well in colder climates, do not underestimate their survival skills.

All termite species can survive with only four things: food, moisture, shelter, and optimal temperature. Unfortunately, all homes can provide these prime termite conditions, meaning that your home is not safe from a termite infestation no matter where you live in the U.S. (Alaska is the exception).

Termites Do Not Sleep

Termites never sleep. They eat and build their colonies all day long, every single day, until they die. This 24/7 operation makes them very efficient in getting rid of decaying wood in the forest. However, a termite colony working together can be very destructive when the food they are foraging on are the wooden parts of your home.

But that’s not all….

These troublesome pests can also chew, penetrate, and damage other materials such as drywall, plaster, stucco, plastic and exploit cracks in concrete or mortar! This level of damage can pose a serious threat to your home’s structural integrity.

Some Termites Can Fly

Not many people know that termites (at least some of them, at certain times of the year) can fly.

Every so often, adult reproductive termites or “swarmers” leave their underground nests and fly to search for potential mates. Once they have found their new home, they shed their tiny wings and settle down to raise their offspring.

As if termites weren’t creepy enough already!

They Leave Warning Signs

You may not know that termites are lurking in your home because these sneaky pests mostly live in unseen and underground areas of the walls of your home.

However, there are still ways you can tell that termites have surfaced on your property.

Some of the tell-tale signs to look out for include:

As termites tend to shed their wings as the warm weather approaches, a pile of tiny wings is a pretty good indicator you have termites.
Termites, like many bugs, are attracted to lights. So, you may want to check around your light fixtures and windows.
Rotting wood, wood furniture that sounds hollow when tapped, cracked or bubbling paint are all critical indicators that your home is under attack from termites.
If your home is infested with termites, you may notice mud tubes (small, pencil-sized tunnels) on exterior walls or crawl spaces.
You may even see a small number of termites on the ground as they leave their nest to form a new colony.

Simple Steps Can Help Prevent An Infestation

While termite treatment should be left to a professional home pest control provider, you can take certain proactive steps to prevent an infestation in the first place (or from returning once it is gone). These include:

Pay close attention to your wood features (windowsills, door frames, and floorboards/wainscoting) during spring and summer.
Eliminate any leaks and excess moisture around your home by fixing pipes and other home fixtures.
Keep gutters, downspouts, and splash locks free of debris to divert water away from your home efficiently.
Avoid leaving anything out that might attract hungry termites. Stack firewood and lumber away when you are not using it. And make sure you always inspect it for signs of termites before you bring it inside.

Get Rid Of Your Termite Infestation With Green Pest Guys

If you live anywhere in Austin, Dallas, or North Houston, get in touch with Green Pest Guys to effectively and safely deal with a pest infestation in your home. We don’t just know fun facts about termites — we know all there is about stopping them, too!

We have the experience and expertise to take care of all your pest concerns permanently and in the quickest and safest manner imaginable. In addition to natural, organic pest management solutions, we also provide follow-up appointments so you can stay assured that the bugs will not be coming back.