Termite Identification & Prevention

Termites are small, wood-eating insects. The cellulose in trees, wood, and other organic matter make up their diet. The eastern subterranean termite is the most widespread type of termite living across the United States and the eastern areas of Texas.

The eastern subterranean termite builds their nests underground in areas of damp soil. These termites have high moisture needs and prefer to feed on wet or decaying wood.

Each subterranean termite colony divides the colony's members into three different castes (reproductives, soldiers, and workers); each caste performs a unique role that helps ensure the colony's success.

Termites are not insects you will come into direct contact with regularly, but they are still a threat to us.

The structural damage termites cause after entering our homes is almost unmatched. Termites are known as silent invaders because they move to and from our homes unseen, and each day as they feed, they cause a little more damage.

What makes subterranean termites so dangerous is that they could be in your house for months or years without notice, and what alerts you to their presence is discovering signs of termite damage in your home, not the termites themselves.

Things like squeaky floors, blistering paint, doors, and windows not opening or closing properly, or faint scratching sounds behind walls are all things that may indicate a problem with termites in your home.

Another important reason to always be proactive regarding termites is that termite damage is usually not covered by homeowners' insurance. You will have to pay for repairs yourself.

Termites become a problem after entering our homes, usually while searching for food that they can bring back to the nest. Subterranean termites most commonly enter our homes through tiny cracks they discover in the foundation of our homes or through pieces of wood, making direct contact with the ground.

Once termites discover a reliable food source, like your home's structural wood, they will keep returning. Eastern subterranean termites are active year-round and work day and night to keep their colonies fed. While the damage they cause does not happen overnight, the end result of an untreated termite infestation can be severe.

Termites are pests that we should never ignore and hope they go away; termites should always be controlled and eliminated with the help of a local termite control expert.

Eastern subterranean termites nest under the ground, not within the wood they feed on, meaning they must travel to their food source daily. To keep themselves safe, they move underground through the soil or above the ground through mud tubes that they create.

Inside our homes, termites feed on structural wood found behind walls, under floors, and above ceilings. Structural wood near drains, pipes, windows, and doors is most susceptible to water damage and, therefore, to a termite infestation.

Remove wood-eating termites from your property with the help of a local pest control professional. Here at Gecko Pest Control, we understand there is no one-size fits all termite control solution.

Each family and property has varying needs. Our professionals always begin with a thorough inspection to determine the unique needs of each property we serve. Then, we will complete a disclosure statement showing the exact steps to solve your termite infestation.

For more information about guarding your property against termites with the help of the experts at Gecko Pest Control and our Longview, TX pest control offerings, please reach out today.

In addition to implementing our professional services, you can use the following termite prevention tips to help keep these destructive insects from taking over your property.

• Create a crushed stone barrier between any mulch or soil and your foundation.
• Eliminate wood-to-soil contact on your property.
• Promptly remove fallen trees and decaying wood from your property.
• Seal cracks in your foundation to eliminate entry points that termites can use to travel to and from your home.

It is also vital to repair leaky pipes, use dehumidifiers to reduce moisture levels, and quickly remove any wood in your home that becomes damaged by water.

Termite removal is best done by a professional. If you are looking for quality termite control in Texas, look no further than the experts at Gecko Pest Control.