As per an estimate, termites cause damage of approximately $5 billion to buildings in California every year. It highlights the severity of threats posed by the termites to infrastructures. However, you can consult experts, like residential pest control Escondido, to understand how termite infestation can be dealt with.
Moreover, it is essential to identify the signs of termite infestation at an early stage to eliminate the pests as soon as possible. You can also employ preventive measures to keep the termites at bay and save your property from potential termite damage.
Different species of termites in California
While you may think that spotting a few termites is not such a big deal, in reality, by the time you spot them, they might’ve already established a huge colony underneath your home. Nonetheless, the following are some species of termites that are widely spread across different parts of California.
- Drywood termites: Drywood termites, about ⅜ to 1 inch long, can feed on almost anything made from wood, like furniture, wooden support beams, picture frames, etc. They thrive in warm environments and don’t need contact with water or soil. They can find their way inside your home through gaps between wood members, weak woodwork spots, cracks, vents, etc.
- Dampwood termite: Dampwood termites are 1 ⁄ 2 to ⅝ inch long and prefer moist wood for their food. They can be seen on stumps of fallen trees, dead trees, and houses with high moisture levels. Plumbing leaks, drainage issues, ventilation deficiency, etc., can make your home more vulnerable to damp wood termites.
- Subterranean termites: About 1/8th of an inch, subterranean termites prefer to live in moist environments only. They can create mud tubes and travel underground to find their way inside your home.
Due to the presence of different termite species in the state, termite swarms occur almost throughout the year. However, swarming is at its peak during the fall season. Swarming is when many termites take off to find suitable mates for establishing new colonies.
Signs your home has termites
Termites usually get inside your home through the soil beneath it, cracks in floors and walls, and seams of electrical and plumbing cords. However, they need to maintain contact with soil to thrive. Therefore, termites take a very long time to establish their colonies, and hence, the damage also occurs slowly.
Nonetheless, detecting termites can be very challenging as they are very stealthy, and the damaged wood looks normal on the outer surface. However, you can look at the following places to check for the mud tubes the termites create for traveling, which can confirm the presence of termites in your home.
- Attic joists and floor
- Foundation wall
- Cracks in the wooden boards
- Sheetrock
- Crawl spaces
However, if you find mud tubes on the upper levels and ceiling of your home, it could mean that you are facing an aerial infestation. An aerial infestation is usually caused by a water leak. It is imperative to mention that termites may take three to eight years to cause serious damage. The following are the usual food sources for termites in your home.
- Cardboard
- Wood
- Paper products
- Wood panels
- Paper covers of sheetrock
- Carpeting, etc.
Threats posed by termites
Although termites don’t bite or sting like other insects, they can still cause severe damage to health and home infrastructure. Following are some of the common threats posed by termites.
- Termite pallets have irritants and allergens that can cause dermatitis, other allergic reactions, and itching.
- Termites can also lead to mold growth, which can cause various lung illnesses and cause asthma.
- Termites can also damage electrical fittings and wirings, exposing live wires and putting the residents at risk of electrocution.
- The damages caused by termites can lead to expensive repair and replacement of some components in your home.
- Many home insurance do not cover damages caused by termites.
Final takeaway
Termites can cause serious damage to your property and health. Therefore, it is essential to identify a termite infestation early and hire a professional pest control agency to ensure they do not cause severe damage.
