Termite Identification

An important part of the ecosystem, the termite’s feeding habits help rid the ground of decaying wood and other organic debris. Although termites serve a purpose out in nature, their helpful feeding habits turn destructive when they set their sights on our homes.

In Cedar Hill, TX & the surrounding areas, home and business owners need to protect their properties from two species of termites: the eastern subterranean termite and the drywood termite. Both feed on wood but have different nesting and feeding habits.

Eastern subterranean termites have high moisture needs and prefer to feed on decaying wood. Drywood termites have lower moisture needs and feed on sound wood not damaged by water.

In addition to feeding on wood, the termites’ social nature and ability to successfully work together make these pests dangerous to have in our homes. Termites work together to maintain their nest and gather food to feed the entire colony. Having one or two termites feeding on your home’s wood wouldn’t be an issue, but having thousands or hundreds of thousands of them nibbling away certainly is an issue!

Noticing the presence of termites in your home can take some time. They aren’t out in the open, crawling around your house like ants or spiders. Termites can work for months or years without notice, feeding on and causing more and more damage each day they are in your house. The damage that termites cause across the country each year adds up to more than five billion dollars.

Termites are on your property because it provides them with a food source and nesting sites. Cracks in the foundation and exterior walls of a house often allow termites to move inside unseen as they forage for a reliable food source.

Eastern subterranean are ground-level invaders. Subterranean termites regularly get inside through wood that makes direct contact with damp soil. Porch steps, wooden siding, wood trim, and porch steps are often entry points for subterranean termites. Cracks in the foundation are another common entry point for this type of termite.

Drywood termites can gain entry into a home both at ground level or aerially through vents, the roofline, and spaces around windows and doors. These termites also hitchhike their way into homes inside infested wood flooring, construction wood, and wooden furniture.

Drywood termites nest inside the wood they are feeding on, while eastern subterranean termites nest under the ground in the soil. Subterranean termites move back and forth from their food sources to nest each day.

Since termites feed inside wood well out of view, you are much more likely to spot termite damage before you see actual termites. Signs you have termites include the following:

• Seeing mud tubes traveling along the ground or up foundation walls
• Finding piles of termites wings on walkways, decks, window sills, and doorways
• Finding holes in the exterior of exposed pieces of wood
• Windows and doors that are no longer opening or closing correctly
• Floors that feel spongy when you walk across them
• Walls with peeling or blistering paint
• Sagging ceilings

At Proactive Pest Services, we want to help you protect your Texas home or business from destructive termites. Our friendly professionals are committed to going above and beyond to provide the most thorough and comprehensive pest services possible.

We work hard to provide families with peace of mind knowing that wood-eating termites are not threatening their property. “Protecting What's Important” is our daily mission! Through innovative services, we offer long-term solutions to rid Texas properties of pests.

To learn more about our termite control offerings and how we can work together to rid your Cedar Hill-area property of destructive, wood-eating termites, give us a call today.

Take action to prevent problems with termites by partnering with the professionals at Proactive Pest Services and implementing our helpful prevention tips.

• Limit soil to wood contact on your property. Termites will travel through the ground into pieces of wood in contact with the soil, and then into your structure.
• Seal cracks in your foundation, roofline, and exterior walls.
• Replace water-damaged wood on or near your home quickly.
• Store firewood, construction wood, and like items away from the exterior of your home.
• Inspect wooden flooring, furniture, antiques, and lumber for signs of termites before bringing those items into your house.