The termites we mostly deal with in our Indianapolis service area are called subterranean termites. As the name suggests, these termites live under the terrain. Subterranean termites are the most destructive kind of termite because they're incredibly sneaky. Today, we'll share some tricks to help you detect these sneaky insects, explain some of the ways termite activity goes unnoticed, and how to evaluate the severity of a termite problem. Then, we'll share details of how professionals effectively get rid of termites in Indianapolis. You'll find everything you need to help you find the right plan for your property.
As always, we're here if you need advice or service. Action Pest Controlis a premium pest control service provider in the top 100 of more than 15,000 registered companies in the industry. You're in good hands with our team of over 70 well-trained, state-certified pest management professionals. Connect with us for trusted termite control in Indianapolis.
Mud Tubes And Other Signs Of Termite Activity
If your home has no proactive termite control, performing routine inspections to check for termite activity is critical. One way to find active termites is to look for the mud tubes they create. Let's begin with termite mud tube identification.
Mud Tubes:
Termites may create tubes made of mud to travel from the ground into structures where they find wood-to-soil contact. These tubes start off looking like thin lines of mud but may start to branch off as they climb foundation walls or thicken as they build tubes on top of each other.
Termite Damage:
Most damage caused by termites is on the inside of wooden structures. You'll need to tap on wood to detect damage like this to see if beams or studs sound hollow. You may also notice splintering as timbers weaken. If termite damage is exposed, it may look a bit like corrugated cardboard edges at first. If you look closely, you'll see that the damage is actually termite tunnels stacked on top of each other.
Swarmers:
Termite colonies will produce winged termites. These members, called swarmers, gather together in a swarm during their nuptial flight. If you see a swarm on or near your property, you won't have trouble noticing it if it is out in the sunlight. Swarmers have long white wings that catch the light. But swarmers aren't easy to detect when hidden underneath structures, which can occur when they first emerge from a nest in the ground.
Wings:
When termites mate, they shed their wings. These wings can provide a warning sign of termite activity on your property. Look for the wings in hidden places as termite swarmers look for a suitable place for their offspring to thrive, and dark, damp locations are preferable.
Worker Termites:
You might get lucky and see worker termites as you are out in your yard. You may find them hiding underneath objects in your yard, particularly stacked wood and branches. A worker termite is about 1/8 of an inch, pale in color, and looks a bit like a fat ant.
These warning signs are straightforward and easy to understand. Unfortunately, it isn't always easy to catch them. As we pointed out earlier, termites are incredibly sneaky. Let's take a look at how these warning signs may go unnoticed.
How Termite Activity Can Go Unnoticed For Some Time
Whether you perform a termite inspection or just keep watch for trouble in your yard, you should know a few things about these insects. Let's look at some of the unique ways they behave and how their behavior patterns make them sneaky.
Termite Workers Avoid Light:
You aren't likely to ever see a termite worker out in the open because they don't like the light. They avoid all sources of sunlight, even reflected light that comes off the moon.
Termite Workers Need Moisture:
Don't expect to see termites even on a night when there is no moon in the sky. Termite workers need moisture to stay hydrated. Therefore, they will remain inside their tunnels even when it's dark. If you want to see termite workers or find damage, you need to look in dark, damp areas underneath the structures on your property.
Termite Swarmers Are Tiny:
The entire length of a termite swarmer is only 3/8 of an inch. These termites are easy to miss because of their tiny size and because there are so many different insects in the world. So, if you're walking along and a winged insect lands on you, look at it before you wiggle and make it go away. It could be a termite swarmer. Look for the long white wings with the rounded tips.
Termite Swarmers Fly:
A big reason why termite swarmers go unnoticed is that they take to the air and leave the property where their nest is. If you have a nest in your yard, you could miss the swarm created by it.
Termites Swarms Don't Last Long:
Another way you can miss a swarm is that swarms last only a short time. In less than an hour, the termite reproductives couple together, mate, and disappear into the soil to begin a new colony. That is about the time it takes you to go get groceries.
Do you see the problem? These insects behave in ways that make them hard to detect. If you do manage to catch a glimpse of them, there are a few facts you should know. These facts will help you evaluate the severity of your problem and decide on an appropriate solution.
How To Determine The Severity Of A Termite Infestation
There are a few things you can assume when you see signs of termites in your yard or home. Let's go back over some of the warning signs we listed above and explain what they may mean. Some are worse than others.
What does it mean when you see a termite swarmer?
One swarmer may provide an early warning sign of an impending termite problem. When a swarm dissipates, the reproductives disperse. That swarmer may have come from a swarm on a nearby property.
What does it mean when swarmers gather around your home?
When swarmers emerge in your yard, you may see them congregate on exterior surfaces. If you see swarmers, you should know that they are produced by a mature colony, and it takes more than three years for a colony to mature.
What does it mean when you have swarmers inside your home?
Swarmers don't intentionally invade your home. Their job is to establish nests in the ground, and there is no soil in your home. If you see swarmers inside, it is evidence of a nest close to your house. What likely occurred is those swarmers got confused and accidentally emerged indoors instead of outdoors.
What does it mean when you find a handful of termite workers in your yard?
It is easy to shrug off a termite problem. A few workers don't seem like much to worry about, but those termites are letting you know that there is a termite colony in the ground near your home. It is best to get it checked out.
If you find termite activity, what can you do about it? Let's turn our attention to termite control and look at what a termite control professional will use to prevent termite damage and provide your home with ongoing termite protection.
How Professionals Get Rid Of Termites
Professionals handle termite control in different ways. Some rely on bait to control termites and prevent termite damage. Others use liquid termiticides. The companies that use termiticides vary in the products they use. Some companies use termiticides that create a barrier, but their termite control products are detectable to worker termites. Others use termiticides that are undetectable to worker termites.
We recommend selecting a company that offers both bait and liquid termiticide solutions so that you get the customized control you need. Also, check to find out if the company used Termidor products, which are undetectable to termite workers. Why is this important? Because termite workers can't avoid treatments if they can't detect the materials used. Termidor also has a transfer effect. When termite workers are exposed to Termidor products, they share them with the other termites in their colony, which will lead to colony elimination.
If you're in Indianapolis, contact Action Pest Control for comprehensive and customized termite control. We use bait and liquid solutions and trust Termidor for effective and long-lasting termite damage prevention. Best of all, our termite control services are bundled into our home pest control service plans.
We also offer termite inspections if you're selling or buying a property in Indianapolis or need an annual inspection but are not ready to commit to termite control services. Call or email for information or scheduling. Your Action Pest Control service team looks forward to helping you find the perfect solution for your specific termite and pest control needs.
What Action Pest Control Customers Are Saying
Action is trusted by over 23,000 happy customers, see what our customers are saying!
“ Your PEST CONTROL deserves a ten star rating!!!!!”
“ I wanted to tell you that we really enjoy having Jason as our technician. He is polite, professional and easy to talk to about any issues or concerns. Please give him a pat on the back from us for his good work. Thanks very much.”
“ Derek is always cooperative, enthusiastic, and professional. Excellent service whether I am home or not.”
