It isn't easy to identify when termites have invaded a property, especially when there are other wood-destroying insects around. When it comes to this type of insect, there are only a few that typically invade Turks and Caicos homes; termites, carpenter ants, and powderpost beetles. Knowing how to distinguish these insect infestations from each other can be difficult unless you are an entomologist.
However, there are a few differences you can look for to identify whether you have termites in your home or some other wood-boring pest.
Termites eat the wood they tunnel through, which means they don’t leave behind “sawdust” as carpenter ants do. If you spot piles of shredded wooden shards, there’s a good indication that you are not dealing with termites.
Termites are white in color, while other wood-destroying insects are usually dark brown or black. Although termites rarely come out of their tunnels, if you discover what looks like a “white ant”, you could have a termite infestation.
Termites are the only wood-eating insects that create mud tubes to protect themselves from drying out in the sun. Spotting these mud tubes along the sides of your home or foundation is a sign that termites have infested your Turks and Caicos home.
How Destructive Are Termites?
Of all the types of wood-destroying insects in Turks and Caicos, termites are the most destructive. Instead of simply nesting on your property, termites feed on the cellulose found in the structure of your home, which increases how fast the damage is done. Termite colonies can have between 60,000 and 1 million workers and are capable of eating an entire 2x4 within 6 months. Termites are also known as “silent invaders," meaning they are capable of infesting your property undetected for years without being noticed. Unfortunately, the longer termites are able to remain in your property, the more time they have to create extensive structural damage and weaken the foundations of your home.
How To Avoid Attracting Termites
Keeping termites away from your Turks and Caicos home on your own is not easy. However, since termites are moisture-seeking pests, there are a few ways you can reduce the appeal of your property.
- Cut foliage and weeds away from your exterior walls. This will allow sunlight to dry up excess moisture around your foundation.
- Repair leaky pipes and faucets to reduce moisture.
- Remove water-damaged wood.
- Remove stumps, logs, and other natural wooden items from your property.
- Apply surface wood treatments. this can help deter termites from invading but isn’t as effective as professional termite control.
If you suspect termite have infested your Turks and Caicos home, it’s important to reach out to professional pest control as soon as possible. Identifying a termite infestation in its earliest stages will drastically reduce the amount of damage done to your property. Parkway Pest Solutions offers effective termite control solutions to take care of all your termite control needs. Consider giving us a call today for more information on how we treat termite infestations, or for your free quote!