Protecting Your Home From Termites: Effective Prevention And Control Strategies For Fort Bragg Homes
June 15, 2023 - Termites
Living in Fort Bragg, California, is a unique experience. There’s a different kind of feel to this peaceful coastal community. Fort Bragg is a friendly town with beautiful beaches, great shopping, historical train rides, and plenty of biking trails to help people relax and have fun. The local termite is a hungry little pest that thrives in this idyllic community. Without professional pest control in Fort Bragg, termites might use local homes to satisfy their insatiable hunger pangs.
How To Identify Termites: Types, Behaviors, And Warning Signs
Termite problems can present challenging difficulties for homeowners, so becoming familiar with the local species, their behaviors, and the warning signs of their arrival is helpful. Fort Bragg has two types of termites that like to visit area homes – subterranean and drywood. While both species eat cellulose products (plant-based items including wood), the size of their colonies and behaviors differ. Of the two species, subterranean termites are the most destructive. Subterranean colonies can range from 60,000 to 2 million workers, while drywood termite colonies are smaller, averaging about 2,500 members.
When accessing homes, the subterranean termite typically tunnels underground and constructs protective mud tubes to access houses. Drywood termites don’t need the protection of soil or mud tubes to enter homes. Both subterranean and drywood termites use similar methods to infiltrate homes; they use small holes, cracks, and crevices to crawl inside and access wooden timbers. Unlike subterranean termites, drywood termites can also hitch a ride on items people bring into their homes, such as picture frames and furniture. Subterranean termites also differ from drywood termites regarding what woods they eat; subterranean termites prefer softened woods damaged by moisture, while drywood termites enjoy dry, solid woods. No matter which termite species in Fort Bragg has entered your home, both will leave behind signs of their arrival.
Signs of a termite infestation to watch for include:
Blistered or blackened wood
Hollow-sounding wood (when tapped)
Pin prick holes in wooden trim or fixtures
Termite droppings that resemble sawdust underneath wooden fixtures
Crumbly wood
Mud tubes snaking up the sides of homes
Discarded “swarmer” wings (reproductives) by window sills and doors
Bubbling or uneven paint
Finding evidence of active termites in your home can ruin your day, but don’t panic. Mendo Lake Termite Control is a termite specialist near you who can quickly respond to suspected termite infestations. We’ll provide a thorough inspection and professional termite solutions that can restore homes to their termite-free condition.
From Bad To Worse: How Termite Damage Can Escalate Quickly
No matter what termite has invaded your home, immediate action is necessary. While termites are tiny pests, they have an insatiable appetite that keeps them feeding 24 hours per day, 365 days a year. Small colonies can consume an average of 1/5 ounce of wood daily, up to around 2x4 lumber annually. As termite queens continue to breed and colonies branch off into other areas of homes, over time, they can cause structural beams to become so weakened that a collapse is possible. When dealing with a pest that can cause extensive damage to your home, partnering with a company like Mendo Lake Termite Control is essential. Our trained technicians are experts at spotting termite trouble and providing effective termite treatments for homes.
Prevention Is Key: Protecting Your Home From Termites
Prevention is the key to stopping termites from using homes as their own personal buffet. A watchful eye and quick repairs or fixes around homes can do much to keep termites outdoors where they belong.
Four things to consider when protecting homes from wandering termites:
Ensure any wooden elements or siding don’t contact the soil.
Inspect any wooden products you bring into your home for termite activity.
Eliminate moisture leaks and standing water in and around your home.
Never bury wood underground, and remove wood debris from yards.
Incorporating simple preventative measures around your home can deter hungry termites, but sometimes it’s just not enough. With professional assistance from Mendo Lake Termite Control, homeowners can set up a powerful barrier for effective termite protection in Fort Bragg.
Professional Termite Control: Long-Term Protection For Your Home
Mendo Lake Termite Control is a local company that is family-owned and operated; we’ve been helping Fort Bragg residents solve their pest issues for over 35 years. We have extensive experience dealing with invading termites and can provide customers with the best termite and pest control solutions. Don’t let termites gain the upper hand in your home; call today to request a consultation.
