People in Arizona often report troubles due to termites at their properties. Although there are many termite species in nature, the most commonly reported one in North America is belts. Other than this, people also say they attack dry wood termites, which are the most invasive and destructive creatures for homeowners.
Those who live in Arizona might be interested to know more about termites. After all, knowledge can help you find better alternatives to deal with the problem. The article below may help you get some essential information on termites and their activity level in Arizona homes.
Is it common to see termites in Arizona?
It is not so easy to provide a clear idea of how prevalent termites are in Arizona. But as per the current stats, it is possible to find almost 3 to 5 termite colonies per acre in this area. Surprisingly, some recent updates even reveal that these nasty creatures have extended their populations greatly, and it is possible to find around 12 to 18 colonies per acre. The scariest fact is that one colony can contain more than 100,000 termites. Therefore, you can estimate how huge their population can be.
How much does termite damage cost?
In the entire country, termites are known to cause more damage to the property when compared to the combined effects of fire, earthquakes, and tornadoes. Depending upon the level of infestation, the cost to repair a home may vary between hundreds to tens of thousands of US dollars. Unfortunately, they do not just cause damage to the wood but can pose a severe risk to memorabilia, paperwork, pool liners, and photographs.
How to identify termite damage at home?
One of the most common and easily recognized signs of termite infestation is the presence of a swarm. Usually, in the evening of a warm day in the spring or summer season, thousands of termites move out of their nests to search for a new home or new mate. They generally prefer flying in tightly packed clouds called swarms, but this movement is observed for a short time before they start dropping their wings and moving to a newly identified home.
You can check the discarded wings or droppings near windowsills; they are the most common clue for recent swarm movement. Few other signs may include mud tubes having pencil width, hollow wooden structures, and floors with a blistered or spongy appeal. If you feel the presence of any of these potential indicators, you may need to call termite specialists at the earliest.
What types of termites can be found in Arizona?
One of the most common termites found in Arizona reason is subterranean termites. Although they look tiny, they are usually very aggressive. They make some mud tubes around the property to reach above the ground level. They will start chewing all the drywall and wood at a breakneck speed as soon as they enter your property.
Drywood termites can pose a severe risk to the properties because, unlike subterranean termites, they do not need much moisture content. Instead, these dry wood termites can leave quickly in some undetected wooden structures for several days. When you notice the presence of these creatures at your home, the wooden pellets may be already dried out because they end up creating some tunnels inside. As a result, a significant portion of the wood will become unsalvageable after their attack.
Habits and biology of termites
Observations state that the subterranean termites are likely to have comparatively larger ranges with massive colonies below the soil level. They can invade the entire property in search of food and are even capable enough to pass through tiny cracks.
On the other side, the dry wood termites are commonly seen inside the wood pieces where they build their colonies, and the size of their homes is usually smaller than the subterranean termites. These termites can easily find entry to your home via some poor joint work on the end of wooden parts or the corners. They do not return to the ground after establishing their home in the wooden pieces at your home.
Contact experts to get rid of termites at your home:
If you live in Arizona, experts advise organizing regular termite inspections at the property to avoid any damage due to these tiny disastrous creatures. They can conduct a detailed investigation of your home to identify termite colonies and the level of damage. If they find some clues for termite infestation, they will also record reliable treatment options.
Depending upon the types of termites at your home and the level of infestation, you may have to follow a treatment option to avoid further damage. Generally, a minor termite infestation can be easily treated with the help of below-ground chemical barriers, and the professionals may also provide a customized protocol for monitoring.
The termite inspectors will also identify crevices and cracks in the property that are otherwise common entry points at your property. Experts can also recommend that you improve your sealing arrangement to avoid termites. Other than this, some barrier products can be used on the soil to create termite repellents.
Several homeowners try to implement DIY procedures for termite infestation; however, these techniques cannot provide you with a permanent solution for the damage. The best idea is to take help from experienced professionals as they use specialized equipment and methods to treat termite colonies at your home. Expert assistance is the best way to eradicate infestations and protect your property in the long run.