How Do Subterranean Termites Enter Your Home and How to Prevent Them?

Ants, roaches, and mice are unwelcome guests. They cause much destruction and sometimes bring disease to humans. There is another bug that wreaks havoc on your home, and you may never know they are there until the damage is severe. We are talking about the subterranean termite. This voracious eater lives to chew away at your wood frame, drywall, or other items of wood 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Once they set up a colony on your property, which can exist anywhere in a 300-foot circle around your house, they will pursue a destructive path. The worst part is that they will cause nearly 5 billion dollars in damage each year, and most people will never know until it is too late. Prevent disaster from affecting your San Ramon home when you seek a termite inspection from a licensed, professional pest control company.

The Different Ways Subterranean Termites Gain Access to Your Home

Termites are crafty beings. They do not communicate via clicks or sounds, nor can they see, so they communicate via chemicals. When they find a new place to devour, they release the appropriate chemicals to call the entire colony to that location. Then the feasting (and destruction) begins. Here are three ways they can access your house:

1. Cracks in Concrete: Imagine a crack the width of a credit card. That is all a termite needs to access your home. Often, they use their mud tubes to climb up your foundation walls, slip into a crevice, and start chewing on the wood frame. If you have a concrete slab, they will sneak through any cracks and make mud tubes on the underside of your carpet while they find new places within your walls. You may never know they are there.
2. Wood in Contact with Your Foundation: If you have a stack of timber lying against your foundation, these bugs will start on the pile and then invade the foundation at any weak point they can find.
3. Damp Spots and Pooling Water: Subterranean termites love damp, wet spots which they will absorb through their skin. Think of poorly graded earth. After a good rain, the water should flow away from your home, not toward it. A wet crawl space is another favorite spot in which the bugs can enter.

How to Plug Up Your Home to Prevent an Infestation

It is possible to keep the bugs at bay. Here are a few ways:

• Keep sprinkler systems pointed away from your house and foundation.
• Ensure your AC unit drains away from the foundation.
• Remove stacks of woods away from your home or other outbuildings.
• Bring in a professional for regular termite inspections.

Stop an Infestation before it Starts, with Help from Times Up Termite

Protect your home and your family by stopping an infestation before it starts. Choose Times Up Termite is your go-to pest control company. We use over 30 years of experience to ensure your San Ramon home is bug-free. We use a variety of options to eradicate termites, including the eco-friendly, reduced-risk pesticide, Altriset. This is an excellent choice for homes with children, pets, or pregnant moms. To learn more, reach out to us today.

Call 510-568-7200 to speak with our team of experienced, licensed professionals at Times Up Termite, Inc. You can also contact us online to request a free termite inspection in San Ramon.