Termites are one of the most damaging pests that’s roamed the earth for years. They take their time gnawing through the wood on your property, which devaluates it over time. To make things worse, home insurance policies don’t cover damages caused by pests.
One way to maintain the value of your house is by taking preventive measures against pest infestation, especially termites. Not only that, but it’s also important to understand when are they the most active and how do they enter your house.
WHEN IS TERMITE SEASON?
Often known as the “silent destroyers”, termites thrive in a warm and humid environment. That’s only if they have access to foods that contain cellulose such as wood, grass, leaves, soil, and animal faeces. Regardless of the construction type, termites can still make their way into any property so long as there are sources of cellulose.
That said, many people believe that termites appear in swarms, but that’s not always the case. Once termites have infested your property, they can cause a wide array of damages at any time, regardless of the season.
Termites are active throughout the year, but the swarming season usually occurs during warmer months. Depending on the species, subterranean termites typically swarm once the weather gets warmer, that is to say around March to August. While drywood termites typically swarm in late July or August, when there are minimal rain and wind.
Unlike other beings that hibernate during the cold season (think endless rainy days and constant winds), termites don’t hibernate as they can build their nest about 25 to 30 feet deep in the ground where the soil temperature is typically 10 degrees Celsius.
Given such a conducive condition, it’s no surprise that termites can build their nest anywhere and any time of the year.
HOW DO TERMITES ENTER PROPERTIES?
As silent as they are, termites can enter your property and gnaw on any wood they find without you noticing. Among the most common access points are cracked mortar, vents, down pipes, utility boxes, ramps, etc. For winged termites, they can enter the property through doors, or windows in search of new nests.
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS OF TERMITE INFESTATION?
While termites are ecologically beneficial in the sense that they break down waste or debris of any kind to add nutrients to the soil, their diet and feeding behaviour can cause severe damages to properties.
As mentioned earlier, termites feed primarily on cellulose which is commonly found in wood. This means that if you have any wooden element or structure on your property, it’s likely that you’ll experience termite infestation.
The following are a few signs that you should look for when you’re inspecting for termite infestation:
● Mud tubes on the wall – Subterranean termites build mud tubes to conceal their tracks while looking for food sources. It’s usually found on walls leading up to your property’s entry points.
● Hollow sounding wood – As termites gnaw on wood to obtain cellulose, they do it from the inside which leaves a sheet of timber and paint behind. Any wooden element that’s damaged by termites will sound hollow.
● Termite droppings – After feeding on the wood in your property, drywood termites typically leave behind grainy faecal mounds, resembling sawdust which is typically found beneath infested wood.
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY FROM TERMITES?
Once you’ve identified the signs of termite infestation, some simple preventive measures may help to keep them out such as ensuring that the vents are free from blockages to reduce humidity.
Not only that, but conducting regular checks that the water from your air conditioning units drain away from your property can make it less attractive to termites. Make sure to repair any leaking pipes or taps and avoid placing your plants near the property as it can be an entry route for termites.
These measures may not be a guarantee to prevent termite infestation. However, if you’re looking to keep your property free from termites, enlisting help from professional pest control will prevent future complications.
At PestBusters, we offer a specialise termite management service, designed to eradicate termite colonies based on the type of property. We will apply premium chemicals onto the property to provide a treated zone within the soil while allowing termites to pick up low doses of the chemical. They will then pass on the chemical residue in their nest and eradicate the entire colony.
Don’t wait too long to contact us as you may prolong the chance of pests breeding around your house. Contact us at (+65) 6288 2828 or: (+65) 9180 9990 or enquire online today for total removal of pests!