Kittitas County in Central Washington enjoys sunny days, majestic views of the snow-capped Cascade Mountains, and the sparkling waters of the mighty Columbia River. The endless miles of spectacular foliage and wildlife enhance all this natural beauty. However, dwelling within the splendor of Kittitas County are various wood-destroying insects. When these insects leave their natural habitat and move into local homes, it could spell trouble unless homeowners can access professional pest control for wood-destroying insects in Kittitas County.
Common Wood-Destroying Insects In Kittitas County
Regarding insects with a fetish for wood, termites and carpenter ants are typically foremost in most people's minds, but Kittitas County also has velvety tree ants. Since these insects can damage homes, people should get to know all the wood-destroying insects in the area.
Kittitas County typically deals with western subterranean termites; these termites usually travel underground and build mud tubes up the sides of buildings to enter homes. They typically measure between 1/4 to 3/8 of an inch. Both workers and soldiers have long, narrow, and creamy white bodies, but a soldier's head and mouthparts are more significant than the worker's. Eating cellulose (anything plant-based, including wood products) is a matter of survival. When they enter homes, they eat 24 hours a day, 365 days per week.
Carpenter ants don't eat wood; they drill through it to set up nesting sites within homes. These ants grow between 1/2 to 5/8 of an inch long and have oval segmented bodies. Black is the standard color of carpenter ants, but some are red, brown, or a combination of black and red. Carpenter ants typically head towards homes when they are searching for food.
People often confuse velvety tree ants with carpenter ants because their colors are similar. Like carpenter ants, they don't eat wood products; they excavate it. These insects grow between 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch long and have an oval segmented body. Their head and thorax have a reddish-brown coloration, but their abdomen is black with hairs, which makes them appear velvety. Like carpenter ants, they will head indoors when hunting for food.
Wood-destroying insects are tiny and often enter homes with homeowners none the wiser. By the time homeowners find, damages have already begun. Since these insects can prove incredibly challenging to remove from homes, calling a pest professional like Prosite is crucial.
How To Know If Wood-Destroying Insects Have Invaded Your Home
While it is true that severe damage from insects that have an affinity for wood doesn't happen overnight, it is still essential to recognize early signs of wood-destroying insect activity. Wood-destroying insects have a few "tells" that they leave behind that can alert homeowners to their presence if they know what to look for. Signs of wood-destroying insect infestation include:
- Mud tubes extending up foundations (termites)
- Wood that crumbles when poked (termites)
- Hollow sounds behind tapped wood (termites)
- Dark and blistered wood (termites)
- Bubbling under or peeling paint or wallpaper (termites)
- Discarded "swarmer" wings by windows and doors (termites and ants)
- Rustling sounds behind walls (ants)
- Debris piles ("sawdust" looking material) under small holes underneath wood (termites and ants)
- Foul odor (velvety tree ants)
When you start picking up on signs of a wood-destroying insect problem, contacting a pest professional like Prosite for help is essential. Left untreated, damages and repairs from wood-destroying insects can prove quite costly, and insurance rarely covers the expense.
Ways To Keep Wood-Destroying Insects At Bay
When it comes to termites, carpenter ants, and velvety ants, eliminating food and moisture sources that lure them to homes is essential. With simple yet practical prevention measures, homeowners can do much to deter these invasive pests. Useful tips to help keep wood-destroying insects away from homes include:
- Quickly fixing moisture leaks (dripping faucets, leaky pipes)
Removing and replacing any moisture-soaked wood in homes - Keeping weatherstripping around windows and doors in good repair
- Removing wood debris from yards, including tree stumps, logs, and firewood
- Eliminating damp conditions indoors and keeping attics, crawl spaces, and basements well-ventilated
- Sealing cracks and gaps in foundations and repairing loose mortar
Homeowners who are proactive in their approach to prevention can make great strides in stopping active wood-destroying insects; however, even the best prevention measures can't guarantee success. Knowing that Prosite is nearby and ready to lend a hand is essential if wood-destroying insects break through your preventative barriers.
Professional Pest Control: Stop Wood-Destroying Insects Fast!
Homeowners can stop wood-destroying insects by contacting Prosite for wood-destroying insect control services. We are a company that is science-driven and service-obsessed. We offer a comprehensive SiteCare home pest control plan that can provide budget-friendly, year-round protection from wood-destroying insects. Contact Prosite today for a consultation on our wood-destroying insect removal services.