For homeowners, few pest infestations are as troubling as termites. Not only are they unpleasant to deal with, but the bugs also cause severe damage to the home if not taken care of by a professional termite control service. Learning about termites, however, will help you successfully mitigate any problems the pests cause.

What You Need to Know About Termites

What are the signs of termites?

Mud tubes are common signs of a termite infestation. These shelters are about the width of a drinking straw, have a flattened appearance, and you will find them across cracks, under floors, near baseboards, and many other places in the home. 

A more alarming sign of an infestation is a termite swarm. Termite swarms gather near light sources such as windows, doors, and light fixtures. The pests are light in color and are move quickly. If you see a swarm, you need to call a termite control service immediately.

Do termites truly eat wood?

Yes. Using protozoa, microbes, and bacteria in their stomach, termites break down the primary substance in the wood called “cellulose.” This process recycles wood back into the soil, but it’s unhelpful when the wood in question is in your home. Termites also eat other things that contain cellulose, including books, drywall, wallpaper, and furniture. 

Can termites completely infest a home?

The main goal of any termite swarm is finding usable soil for a colony located near a wood source. While the interior of your home likely has enough wood to curb their hunger, there probably isn’t suitable soil close enough for a colony. Even though you don’t have to worry about closets, beds, and other nooks and crannies of your home’s interior crawling with the pests, any swarm is a sign of a more extensive issue.

How fast can termites damage a home?

A single termite can’t eat wood at a rapid pace. Unfortunately, termite colonies typically consist of thousands or – shockingly – millions of the pests. Even with these numbers, it takes a termite colony several years to cause significant damage to a home. The problem occurs when the invaders go unnoticed for years at a time. That’s why you should contact a termite control service when you spot any of the warning signs. 

Don’t let your home fall prey to a termite colony; Aloha Termite & Pest Control in Wahiawa, HI, will remove the pests swiftly and thoroughly. With more than two decades of experience, this termite control service has a skilled team of exterminators ready to tackle any infestation. Whether termites, bed bugs, roaches, ants, or other pests, the company offers a five-year warranty on their fumigation services. The guarantee allows you to be confident you’ll have the help you need if the bugs appear again. Visit the website for more information on the services available or call (808) 622-2268 to speak with a friendly representative today.