What Salt Lake City Property Owners Need To Know About Termite Season

A termite infestation in a wall
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Some Salt Lake City home and business owners are under the mistaken impression that pest remediation is only needed when visible critters are on the land. Just because you don’t see an insect or creature creeping around, it doesn’t mean they don’t have a nest set up somewhere. Many specimens hide and fester in difficult to reach places, or they lay low indoors until their peak season begins. For those that multiply in droves, they can be a burden almost instantly. Termites, for example, live primarily out of sight behind walls. 

Termites are bugs that attack wood. Therefore, they can make a residence or establishment come crashing down quickly . Americans have to spend a collective $5 billion a year trying to deter or recover from these awful insects. To escape their clutches, learn now about their activity periods and behavior. Also, discover how Pest Pro Pest Control can help you.

How Do Termites Operate? When Is Termite Season?

There are several different species of termites in Salt Lake City, each with their own “busy” season. Considering this, these pests are essentially active year-round. Some classes mate during the height of spring. In any given colony, the winged 0.50 of an inch long swarmers are responsible for reproduction. Once a nest has become full or the coupling cycle has started, swarmers will fly away to build new colonies. The black, yellow, or brown bugs will be seen flowing out of exit holes and darting toward lights. They will be the only termites you see, as the workers and soldiers will remain inside walls. Workers are white or grayish-white, and 0.12 of an inch long. Soldiers are yellow-brown and have rectangular heads, with protruding jaws. Swarmers are the first sign of infestation. Additional warnings are:

  • Finding the translucent and scaly wings of swarmers
  • Seeing piles of fecal frass beneath needle-point holes, mud tubes, and maze patterns in walls
  • Having hollow sounding foundations
  • Hearing noises from inside walls, like clicking and rustling
  • Noticing that paint is starting to peel, bubble, and look water damaged
  • Detecting sagging and discoloration in drywall 
  • Tiles that are displaced
  • Floorboards caving in
  • Tight-fitting window frames and doors

It won’t take long before the effects of termites will be seen and felt. Walls and bases will be fragile and off-balance. The danger is that wood could crumple and harm someone, like a relative, customer, or employee. Your home or business may become unsafe. You may have to stay in another place for a while or halt formal operations. In terms of health issues, termites aren’t linked to the spread of disease. However, they have been known to trigger allergic reactions.

How Can Termites Be Prevented?

You can fend off termite invasions by doing the following:

  • Get rid of decaying or ruined wood; otherwise, have it repaired. 
  • Fix leaks and moisture troubles, prioritize those causing wood to be damp.
  • Patch up gaps in utility lines, foundations, and caulk. 
  • Put screens on your exterior vents. 
  • Routinely wash out your gutters and vents. 
  • Distance loose wood and greenery from your property. 
  • Never allow free wood, like carpentry panels, to touch the soil. 
  • Cut your grass and greenery on a regular basis.

What Can Pest Pro Pest Control Do About Termites?

Given the depth of termite infestations, professional intervention is essential. “Do it yourself” tactics are largely ineffective, very costly, and sometimes hazardous. We at Pest Pro Pest Control will provide safe and reliable care that will bring wondrous results. Our expert technicians will use a trenching treatment to get between a nest and your property. Follow-up visits, pre-construction solutions, and Wood-Destroying Insect/Organism Reports are available. Call us today at Pest Pro Pest Control for a free inspection!

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