4 Common Questions People Ask About Termites
Sep 14, 2022Not too many people are interested in bugs. They understand that flies, spiders, ants, and roaches will enter their homes. When they get past that idea with a few swats of the fly swatter, they give no more thought to the creepy crawlies. One bug should be on everyone’s mind, as it causes billions of dollars in damage to homes across the United States each year. The termite is the hidden nemesis that literally will ‘eat you out of house and home’ if you let it. It is possible to stop the invasion when you have regular termite inspections of your Alameda home by a reputable company. Times Up Termite has the knowledge, skills and experience to rid you of these home wreckers.
Common Questions Answered to Help You Learn More about Termites
Termites have their place in the wild but don’t belong in your home. Understanding what they are and how they affect your home brings up questions, and you aren’t the only one asking about these pests:
- What do termites look like? Sometimes, they are mistaken for ants, but a few characteristics set them apart. They are about a quarter of an inch to half an inch long. Their bodies range from light brown to white. They are soft, with straight antennae. The ones that can reproduce, called swarmers, have two sets of equally-sized wings. There are many different kinds worldwide, each with slight variations in their make-up.
- What do they eat? Anything containing cellulose is a termite’s dream meal. Wood comes to mind for many, but other wood products like newspapers are also enticing. Surprisingly, termites will eat the paper backing on drywall since it contains cellulose. They will also nibble on cardboard and leaves.
- Do they live in colonies like bees? Termites are amazingly social creatures. They depend on each other to survive. Each colony has social roles, including the king and queen, workers, and nymphs. They are so intertwined socially that more than one colony can infest a home, but the two colonies will not intermingle.
- How fast can they eat wood? One termite is a slow eater, but a colony can plow through about 2 feet of a 2×4 piece of wood. It may not sound like much, but these bugs eat 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and they do it by eating from the inside out. That means their culinary habits can leave your structure vulnerable within a few months, and you wouldn’t know it.
Don’t Let Misidentification Ruin Your Home – Get a Timely Termite Inspection in Alameda
Keep your home safe from an infestation by removing yard debris from around your foundation. Move firewood and other brush piles several feet away and call the experts at Times Up Termite for an inspection. Our highly trained technicians will assess your home, looking for signs of infestation, such as mud tubes, and give you a thorough report of the findings. We will also ensure you have options for eradicating these pests, including the eco-friendly, reduced-risk pesticide, Altriset. We suggest this remedy for homes with children, pets, or pregnant moms. Another recommendation we may make is Trelona bait traps by BASF to rid your home of termites effectively. Call us today to learn more.
Call 510-568-7200 to speak with our team of experienced, licensed professionals at Times Up Termite, Inc., to schedule a termite inspection. You can also contact us online to request a free termite inspection in Alameda.