Termites are such small creatures that it is almost impossible to believe that they can cause over $30 billion worth of damage nationwide in just one year. They cause major damage to property and are one of the most stubborn pests to get rid of. Here are a few things you should know about Arizona termites and what to do if you have an infestation.
Signs of Infestation by Arizona Termites
The main sign of an Arizona termite infestation is a swarm. When termites move from one location to another they fly in tightly packed clouds known as swarms, and when they reach a new location, they discard their wings. If you notice a pile of discarded wings somewhere on your property, chances are excellent that you have found the address of a new termite nest.
Most-common Arizona Termites
The most common termite species found in Arizona are subterranean termites. These creatures are tiny but aggressive, and they use mud tubes to reach above ground wood, and once they enter your home, they chew through wood and drywall at a truly terrifying rate. They can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage in almost no time at all.
Drywood termites are also a common occurrence, but they pose different risks than subterranean Arizona termites. Due to the use of mud tubes, subterranean Arizona termites are easier to spot. Drywood termites can live undetected inside wooden structures for long periods of time and by the time you notice clues to their existence, they may have wreaked massive havoc on your home. The most common clues to their presence are dried out wood pellets that have overflowed from their tunnels. The trouble is, when you see these wood pellets, huge portions of your wood are already likely to be unsalvageable.
Protecting Your Home from Arizona Termites
Home inspections are your first line of defense to avoid a major termite infestation. An inspection can not only catch a termite problem early, even if you have no problem yet, a technician can tell you where your home is at risk for problems and preventative measures can be taken to eradicate Arizona termites.
Crack and crevice sealant as well as chemical barriers can be used to avoid allowing Arizona termites to settle into your home. If you do have a minor problem, there are often small scale treatment options that will take care of the current problem before it spirals. And, of course, if you have a large scale problem, an expert can help you decide on the best approach to get rid of the current issue and prevent future infestations by Arizona termites.
Do-it-yourself Care Doesn’t Work for Arizona Termites
If you notice that you have Arizona termites and want to try a home remedy before calling in a professional, reconsider. If you are noticing a termite issue, chances are it is just the tip of the iceberg as far as the scope of the infestation. Do-it-yourself remedies are not nearly effective enough to get rid of a full-fledged termite problem, and if you don’t take action quickly, the bill could be a whole lot bigger than one technician and extermination treatment.
Infestations by Arizona termites can quickly spiral into a very expensive problem. Give one of our technicians a call today (520-393-3352) and see how we can pretreat your home to prevent termites from entering or to clean out a current termite infestation.