Are you prepared and willing to spend thousands of dollars to repair the damage done to your home right under your nose?

Unfortunately, that question becomes reality for about 600,000 homeowners in the U.S. every year due to termite control problems. How can you be sure that your home is safe from termites in Tucson?

You may think that you’re prepared against termite invasion, but do you know the warning signs? Are you sure your information is accurate? Do you think you could solve the problem on your own?

Termites are an issue on a national scale. Even the government takes care to educate, prevent infestations, and research termite control, so you should take it seriously and do your own research as well.

Let’s brush up on your termite knowledge so that you can feel confident that you’ll know when it’s time to call in a professional for termite removal.

Myth vs. Fact: Termites

You may have heard some information about termites that either calm or exasperate your fears, but having the wrong information can get in the way of you dealing with a termite infestation quickly and effectively.

Let’s take a look at some of the common myths about termites, and the truth behind them.

1. Termites are Ants

Although termite “swarmers” (the winged reproducers) may resemble ants, especially when they are in large groups, termites are not at all related to the ant family. Termites are actually much more closely related to cockroaches. 

2. All Termites are the Same

A few different varieties of termites in Tucson are responsible for different kinds and amounts of home damage. If you know the kind of termite your home is prone to, you can recognize the signs of infestation more easily.

Dampwood termites prefer moist environments. They are a larger species of termite and are attracted to areas where water has accumulated – such as leaky pipes.

Subterranean termites are extremely destructive. They build nests underground and eat wood above them. Eventually, they can eat up through the wood of your home and come in through the floors.

Drywood termites live in dry spaces like attics and make the largest colonies. They reproduce very quickly because they have no workers – just kings and queens. Their only goal is to eat the wood of your home and reproduce as quickly as possible.

You can read here for more about subterranean and drywood termites and their different treatment options.

3. Termites Can Chew Through Concrete

Termites cannot chew through concrete because it is too hard and offers them no value. They cannot eat it or build nests out of it. If you believe that you’ve seen termites trying to chew through concrete, they were probably just trying to get to the wood beyond it.

4. Termites Can’t Get Into Brick Houses

Even brick homes still have wooden elements. Some brick is just a veneer so wood is directly behind it. But even if your home is brick all the way through, you still have wooden doors, doorframes, window frames, and trusses. 

A brick house won’t protect you from termites, and you should learn the warning signs regardless of the material your home is made out of.

5. You Always Know When You Have Termites

It’s not always obvious in the beginning that you have a termite problem. Before you’ve even realized they’re there, termites can do major damage to your home. 

If you’re worried about an infestation you should look out for warped floors, chewing marks that look like long grooves, crunching sounds, mud tubes, and termite droppings.

6. Termites Won’t Return After Treatment

One treatment against a termite infestation will not last you forever. 

Instead, make a plan with your pest control professional to prevent a new colony, and keep up with it. They may suggest:

  • Lifting wooden components of your home off the ground
  • Keeping an eye on leaky plumbing
  • Changing the placement of your firewood storage
  • Eliminating mulch from your yard
  • Scheduling regular treatments

7. Termites Can Make You Sick

Luckily, termites are not known to carry any pathogens that make people or animals sick. The real worry with termites is their destruction to your home – not human harm. They can, however, exasperate existing problems for asthmatics and people with allergies. 

8. You Can Only Get Termites in the Summer

Termites may be most active during the warm months, but they can cause problems any time of year. They do not hibernate and instead burrow deeper into wood looking for warmth during the cold months. Trusting that termites will go away in the winter can lead to more damage and more for you to pay for.

9. You Can Handle Termites By Yourself

Trying to handle termites with DIY solutions will only end up wasting your money. Rather than trying measures that aren’t guaranteed to work, call in a professional right away. The longer you wait and try your own methods, the more damage the termites have time to do.

Hire a licensed, local company for termite removal. Local is best because they’ll know which methods and issues are common for other homes in your area. Environment plays a huge role in termite control in Tucson.

10. Termite Treatment is Too Expensive

There are many affordable options for dealing with your termite problem, but by far the most expensive is doing nothing at all. If you avoid professional help in an attempt to save money, you’re allowing the termites to do major damage to your home that you will eventually have to pay for in home renovations or lose in its resale value.

Dealing with Termites in Tucson

Now that you know a bit more about the kinds of termites in Tucson, their warning signs, and what to do about them, you can protect your home from termite invasion and their damage.

Want to know more about termites and other pests that can be removed by Gecko Pest Management? Check out our blog for more information on pests in the Tucson area.