Protect Your Home From Termites
Termites can be a major problem for homeowners, causing an estimated $1 billion in damage to homes each year in the United States. Unlike other disasters such as fires or tornadoes, however, damage caused by termites is rarely covered by your homeowners' insurance.
While most homeowners believe they can't do anything to prevent a termite infestation, getting an annual termite inspection is a great way to prevent major damage by catching any problems early.
Call (561) 791-0263 or send us an email to schedule a termite inspection.
Drywood Termites
Drywood termites create colonies in wood. Because they do not need a connection to the ground and require very little moisture, colonies are often found in attics. Once a colony gains access to your home, they can disperse throughout the house. Drywood termites are primarily found in southern, coastal states. When a termite colony is mature, it produces swarms of male and female insects. They can fly out of their original colony to create new colonies, spreading the problem. These swarms are especially common during warm temperatures with heavy rains.
One way to identify an infestation are by the piles of fecal pellets in locations such as windowsills. If you find piles of tiny pellets, it might indicate a termite infestation. Drywood termites create a very distinct fecal pellet, called frass, that are hexagonal and about 1 mm long. Termites kick these pellets out of their tunnels, creating visible mounds. Termite pellets can remain long after a colony has died; one of our trained pest control professionals can inspect your home for verification and treatment of an active infestation.
If you are having trouble with drywood termites, please contact us at Protective Pest Control. We serve Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Boynton Beach, and the surround areas. Our professionals will eliminate the pests to protect your home.
Subterranean Termites
Subterranean termites are the most common type of termites in the United States. They're to blame for nearly 95 percent of all termite damage. They usually are found living in colonies beneath the ground, but they can and do enter homes. When that happens, they can cause severe damage to your home and your furniture. They'll even eat books. Termites cause an estimated $2 billion dollars in damage annually in some 350,000 houses. An average termite colony contains up to 1 million members.
Subterranean termites build tunnels as they search for food. They emerge anywhere they can find moisture and cellulose to eat. They establish new colonies by swarming. Winged males and females fly away from their home colony and land nearby. Then, they reproduce, lose their wings and begin new colonies. If you've seen a pile of small insect wings on a window sill or next to a door, they've probably chewed their way into your window frame or door.
Reproductive termites resemble flying ants, but it's easy to tell them apart. Carefully examine the wings they leave behind. If the wings are all the same size, they're termite wings. If half of the wings are smaller than the other half, then the wings came from flying ants.
Subterranean termites enter houses through the foundation. They find openings in the slab, plumbing connections, utility conduits or expansion joints. Decks and porches with direct contact to the ground are easy ways for termites to enter a home. It's difficult to notice termites until the damage is evident, at which point they must be eradicated immediately.
If you've noticed signs of a termite infestation, contact Protective Pest Control. We Serve Boynton Beach, Boca Raton, and Palm Beach County. We'll give you a free estimate to exterminate the pests quickly and completely.
Click for a free quote from Protective Pest Control or call us at (561) 791-0263.
