Termites In Sioux Falls: An Instructive Guide To Identification, Prevention, And Control
Termites can be a huge issue for any Sioux Falls homeowner if they aren't properly identified and taken care of quickly. They cause major damage to buildings, and the signs of their presence are often hard to identify. To help you and other homeowners with pest control in Sioux Falls, let's examine how to identify signs of termite damage and how you can help prevent them from getting a foothold in your home or business. And if you ever find yourself with a termite problem that's too big to handle, the pest management professionals at Olson's Pest Technicians are here to help.
How To Identify Signs Of Termites
There are plenty of general signs that you may have termites, but let's look at the most common termites in your area to determine what to look for. The most common kind of termites in Sioux Falls are subterranean termites. They get their name from their habit of making nests underground, but they are more than willing to venture above the surface to infest your home or commercial facility. One of the most common signs of an infestation is seeing active termites. Subterranean termite colonies consist of three groups; workers, soldiers, and swarmers. Workers are the smallest, measuring between an eighth and a quarter of an inch. They are the ones responsible for all the actual consumption of wood. The bodies of workers are a creamy white color. Soldiers are a bit larger than workers and have dark, rectangular heads with large mandibles. Their job is to protect the colony from outside threats. Swarmers are the largest, averaging between a quarter and a half an inch in length. They are the only colony members with wings. Swarmers are responsible for reproduction and spreading the colony. Besides seeing termites in your house, other identifying signs include bubbling or peeling paint, dark wood that sounds hollow when you tap on it, and termite droppings, which resemble sawdust.
How Termites Silently Destroy Property
Termites often make their way into your house without your knowledge. They can enter in any number of ways, including through cracks in the foundation, cross over from vegetation growing too close to the house, or through wooden parts of the house that are in direct contact with the ground. Once they are inside, they begin chewing away. If the wood they target happens to be structurally important to your house, the damage they cause can be catastrophic. Termites are responsible for billions of dollars dished out to repair damages to structures across the United States every single year. Subterranean termites are the most dangerous variety, as their ability to consume wood exceeds that of other species; this is why termite identification is so important.
Five Eco-Friendly And Effective Termite Prevention Tips
Now that we've looked at ways to identify termites and how they can damage your property, let's talk about what you can do to mitigate the risks of finding termites in your house. While it's better to leave termite treatments in Sioux Falls to professionals, here are five simple steps you can take to keep subterranean termites away.
- Search the exterior of your house for any cracks and seal them.
- Eliminate excess moisture around your home.
- Move wood and landscaping materials away from your house.
- Keep a close eye on vegetation near your house and trim it back when necessary.
- Make sure that the wooden parts of your home are not in direct contact with the ground.
In spite of your best efforts, you may find yourself dealing with a termite infestation. If you do find yourself in this situation, don't panic. There is still a way out. Professional termite control services in Sioux Falls can help!
Expert Termite Control Is A Great Idea For Sioux Falls Properties
Since 1966, Olson's Pest Technicians has been delivering friendly, efficient service to several states across the Midwest. Our pest management professionals have over 80 years of combined experience and always put the customer first. We offer the best termite control services in the Sioux Falls area. Contact Olson's Pest Technicians today to get started and to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Sioux Falls.