Thrive Pest Control Blog

All You Need to Know About Termites in Nashville

Termites are a creature that no one ever wants in their home. These beastly insects might be dramatized by the media in film, but the reality of a termite infestation is not far from what you might expect. They might not be able to eat an entire house over the course of a few hours, but they can do unspeakable amounts of damage. The cost of repairing damage from termites annually is enough to rival the value of some major corporations, which is why it is crucial for people to be aware of the signs.

Tennessee is in the sweet spot for termites. It isn’t the most likely place to get them, but it isn’t far down the list. This is what makes it so important for residents in Nashville to know how to identify a potential termite infestation and what to do if you suspect that you might have one.

Subterranean Termite

In Tennessee, the most popular kind of termite is the subterranean termite. This type of termite is the most commonly reported type found in the United States, and it can do some serious damage. In fact, they are a common cause of damage in many different areas. These termites live mostly underground, often building their nests in rotted wood. While many people make the mistake of thinking that this means their house will be spared, these insects are incredibly adept at finding their way into houses.

In many cases, they will crawl through mud and soil to find exposed wood. This might be the foundation of your house or any other kind of wood component that touches the ground, but once they find it, they will take absolutely no time before moving in.

One area of particular interest for this kind of termite is decks or wooden patios. These provide the perfect access point for a subterranean termite colony to move in. Don’t worry, it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t have them. It does, however, mean that you should always be aware and actively check your property during termite season to avoid any serious damage.

An unfortunate area of concern with subterranean termites is the fact that they mostly live underground. This means that more often than not they have already gone to work beginning to eat around your foundation and other areas before they expand upwards to more visible wood. This can make it difficult to know when an infestation has first begun.

In many cases, people don’t realize that termites have moved in until they are already well in the first stages of infestation. Worse, these termites can also actively infest areas that are commonly moist in nature.

This means that areas with a lot of rain or humidity run a higher risk of having active infestations that resemble more traditional infestations depicted in media. The moisture in these areas allow this kind of colony to thrive despite the fact that they don’t necessarily have the moist soil to burrow in.

A common indicator of this kind of termite is the use of mud tubes. These tubes allow the subterranean termite to traverse the world with ease. These tubes of mud make it possible for the termites to go anywhere while still remaining covered. The tubes can look like it rained and mud dripped across a surface, but they are actually true structures housing these disastrous insects underneath.

You’ll find these tunnels in all kinds of areas depending on the nature of infestation. They are commonly seen running along the base of a home. Inside the home you might see them running along baseboards or along cracks. These cracks can provide an easy entrance point for termites in some cases. It is also common for them to be hidden underneath flooring and in other hidden areas.

Winged Termites

Another common indication of subterranean termites is the presence of winged termites. This variation of termite can be seen flying around the area, generally not far from where the colony is hiding. These termites are often seeking a mate and can lose their wings during this period in time.

The loss of wings makes it common to find the wings of these creatures even if you don’t actually see the flying termites themselves. These wings can be found discarded on any surface. If you start to see a lot of wings being left around, this might indicate a larger problem.

Termite Damage

As you might expect, other common indicators of subterranean termites are seeing actual termites or active wood damage. In some cases, people report hearing termites as they eat or traverse the areas within the wall, though this isn’t necessarily guaranteed to happen. In the event you suspect that you might have termites, it is imperative that you contact a pest control company immediately. Termite damage can be the most expensive problem a family ever faces if it goes on for too long.

Worse, since termites can damage the structural integrity of a home, you run the chance of them putting your family at further risk. The more quickly that you can identify a termite problem, the better. This is important when it comes to minimizing damage and ensuring that the termite infestation can be dealt with as quickly as possible.

While some people look to treat termites on their own, it is imperative to work with a professional on this matter. This will ensure that the problem is not only handled, but can also stop it from resurfacing again at a later time.

Since these insects can be formidable opponents, it is crucial to be aware of their potential impact. These insects are more likely to swarm during moist periods of time, particularly in the days surrounding a heavy rainstorm when more moisture has built up. Ensuring that there is no moisture to make them feel at home and no rotting wood nearby is a great way to reduce your risk with these invaders.

Focus on keeping your house in good order, and avoid leaving rotting wood structures on your property if you can. For everything else, let the pest control professionals handle any concerns that you might have. Don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and call pest control in Nashville at the first sign.

All You Need to Know About Termites in Nashville

Subterranean Termite

Winged Termites

Termite Damage

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