Many assume termites don’t live this far north in America, but Yakima County pest control companies frequently find termite infestations in local homes. Termites are silent destroyers that slowly chew and eat away at the wood in a house, causing significant damage over time.
This article will explain more about termites and their colony's life cycle to help you better understand what you are dealing with. We’ll review how to identify termite damage in your home so you can stop an infestation before it becomes severe. Learn what it takes to eliminate termites and some tips to keep them from returning from the termite control professionals at Prosite.
The Life Cycle Of A Termite Colony
A termite colony on your Yakima County property typically begins in the spring, the morning after a warm rainy day. It starts when a mature colony sends out winged reproductive swarmers to create a new colony. Something on your property, typically wood-to-soil contact or water-damaged wood, will attract the swarmers.
After they choose a location, the swarmers shed their wings and become the reproductive king and queen of the new colony. The queen lays eggs that become the workers and soldiers that feed and protect the colony. When she matures, she will produce between 5,000 and 10,000 eggs yearly, with mature colonies having between 60,000 and two million workers.
Catching a termite problem in its early stages is essential to limiting the damage these pests can cause. Regular inspections from a termite company like Prosite can help you protect your property from these destructive pests.
How To Identify Termite Damage
Because these pests work silently deep inside the structure of your home, they can be challenging to spot. Termites do leave clues around that can help you identify the termite problem sooner.
Here are some of the signs of termites in your home you can look for:
- Tubes made of mud on the exterior of the house
- Soft wood that sounds hollow when tapped
- Paint that appears to be bubbling or uneven
- Darkening wood that appears blistered
- Discarded swarmer wings near windows and doors
If you suspect termites are infesting your home, schedule a consultation with Prosite. Our team can help you identify the problem and properly treat and eradicate termites from your Yakima County home.
What It Takes To Get Rid Of Termites
Eliminating a termite infestation in your home is difficult. Colonies can be extensive and sometimes spread out across your property. Many over-the-counter products promise to eliminate termites but are usually insufficient to eradicate these wood-destroying insects.
It takes professional products and knowledge to find the entire colony and, most importantly, eliminate the queen. If the queen survives treatment, you will soon have a new colony on your property. Contact Prosite today to learn how our termite treatments can eliminate your infestation and keep them from returning with our effective termite control services in Yakima County.
Simple Tips To Prevent Future Termite Infestations In Your Home
Preventing termites is a lot easier than trying to remove them. Here are some simple termite prevention tips to keep them from coming back:
- Keep a one-inch gap between the soil and the wood on your house.
- Divert water away from your home's foundation.
- Store firewood at least 20 feet away from your house.
- Seal any cracks or gaps on your home’s exterior larger than 1/16 of an inch.
The best way to prevent future infestations is to continue working with Prosite and have regular termite inspections. Contact us today to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Yakima County and set up your consultation to stop these destructive pests from doing any further damage.