You’re smart to worry about termites infesting your home. They invade about 600,000 houses every year. You’re even smarter if you’re among the 48% of homeowners who worry about termites and actually have their houses inspected; 52% of homeowners are concerned, but never have an inspection. When you look for a company you can trust for Conroe pest control, think of Chase Pest Control. We’ve been protecting people, pets, and property since 1997.
Termites in Conroe Are Very Common
Termites are unfortunately a common local pest. There are three types of termites in the Conroe area:
- Drywood termites are ⅜ to 1 inch long, light brown to creamy white, and oval-shaped. They don’t have a worker class; instead, all the work is done by younger termites. They infest dry wood, making them different from other varieties of termites. You’ll find them in your attic, rafters, banisters, support beams, picture frames, and furniture.
- Dampwood termites are ½ to ⅝ of an inch long, brown to cream, and oval-shaped. Like the drywood termites, they don’t have a worker class. You’re not likely to find these termites in your home unless you’ve sustained serious water damage. They’re more likely to be living in tree stumps, fallen-over trees, utility poles, and fence posts.
- Subterranean termites cause more damage than their drywood or dampwood cousins. They’re ⅛ of an inch long and range in color from cream to black. They live underground until they find damp or water-damaged wood on your property, then they move in. They create mud tubes to move around the outside of your home, since they can’t be exposed to the open air or they’ll dehydrate to death.
If you suspect you may have termites living in your walls or anywhere else on your property, it’s crucial that you call in the professionals from Chase Pest Control immediately, before too much damage is done.
How Termite Infestations Start
A termite problem begins simply enough. In the spring, established colonies will send out swarmers, also known as alates, to mate and begin new colonies. Drywood swarmers will find a crack or crevice in the untreated wooden structure of your home, dig themselves a nest, and start laying eggs. They can fit into a crack the width of a business card, which is about 1/32 of an inch wide.
Dampwood termites look for moist wood, and if you have any wood that’s water-damaged, it’s a safe bet that they’ll find it. They prefer wood that’s at least 10% water, but they can survive in wood that contains as little as 3% water content.
Subterranean termites mostly enter your home through wood that’s touching the ground. This could be in your crawl space, your decking, porch steps, or other pillars and posts. They can also build mud tubes through cracks in your mortar or holes in concrete blocks to gain access to the wood they seek.
You need to know how to tell if you have termites in your walls, but it’s not always easy to find out. You can look for small piles of what looks like sawdust beneath pinpoint holes in your walls. You may also be able to hear a rustling noise coming from inside your walls. You can also partner with Chase Pest Control. We use infrared technology to find where termites are active in your home.
Is Termite Damage A Big Deal?
Unfortunately, termite damage is a very big deal. Unchecked, a termite colony could bring down your house in a matter of years. They can cause noticeable damage in as little as three years.
Termite damage costs American homeowners in excess of five billion dollars every year. Most of that damage is not covered under homeowners insurance, so it’s coming straight out of your pocket. That’s why it’s critical to call for help at the first signs of termites inside your house.
Total Termite Control For Conroe Homeowners
Hopefully, by now, you understand how crucial it is that you know how to get rid of termites: by calling in the professionals from Chase Pest Control. We use Termidor® and Advance® Termite Bait System around your house to prevent termites from getting to the wooden structures inside. These products have very little impact on your family, your pets, and the environment.
We firmly believe we’re the best termite control company for your Conroe home. We treat everyone, from employees to customers, like a part of our family. Our technicians are highly trained, licensed, and taught to provide exemplary service. We even have technicians who are Certified Applicators, which is the highest licensing available in the state. Contact Chase Pest Control today for a free estimate to put your mind at ease about termites and the havoc they can wreak.