Why Every Plano Home Needs Professional Termite Control

The purchase of a home is one of the largest investments you'll make in your lifetime. In Plano, there are many things that can eat away at the equity of your home. Tropical storms and hurricanes can cause wind damage, or a tree can fall on your roof. A fire can break out and spread through your walls. Flood waters can cause moisture damage. All of these dangers can be covered by home insurance, but what about damage caused by these destructive pests? Does insurance cover termite damage? In almost all cases, it does not. Why? Because most insurance companies view termite damage as preventable, and they regard termite damage prevention as the responsibility of a homeowner as part of the general maintenance requirements of the structure. When you also consider that termites cause more damage than fires and natural disasters combined, it isn't surprising why we would say that every Plano home needs professional termite control. But you may wonder why you can't just do it yourself. If you've been considering termite control for your home and are on the fence, you'll find some helpful advice in this short article. If you already know you need professional termite control for a home in Plano, Texas, contact All-Safe Pest & Termite for termite control near you. We use the most advanced control solutions. Navigate to our contact page or call for assistance or to learn more about the services we offer.

Termites Are Always Active Around Plano

When is termite season in Plano, Texas? While some would say that termite season is from early spring to late fall, we do not concur. While it is true that termite swarmers appear in spring and activity is noticeable during the spring, summer, and fall, termites never cease their activity in our area. Do you know why? It has to do with ground temperatures.

Air temperatures rise and fall quickly. On a cold day, you may think that termites are also cold. But they're not. Termites live in two places; both are protected from the cold air. Drywood termites live in wood and are shielded from the wind. Subterranean termites (the most destructive and common termites in our area) live in the ground. The temperatures change much slower in the ground and never get cold enough to cause termites to stop moving. 

What does this mean for your property? Termites in Plano can damage the wood in your home all year long. The worst part is that they can do it right under your nose. The secretive and quiet nature associated with termites helps these insects hide their activity from view. If you're hoping to see evidence of termites before they damage your home, these insects are likely to disappoint you.

How bad is termite damage? Sure, these insects do more damage than fires and natural disasters combined, but is every structure at equal risk? No. In fact, natural disasters increase the risk of termite damage. One of the reasons termite damage is greater is because it often accompanies damage caused by floods, hurricanes, and tropical storms. Let's take a look. 

The Damage Termites Can Cause Inside Plano Homes

All homes are at risk for termite infestations, but there are conditions that will increase the chance that termites will cause damage. When a licensed professional inspects your home for signs of termite damage, we also look for conducive conditions because these conditions go hand-in-hand with termite damage, and the damage caused by these insects is often hidden. Some of the conditions we look for include the following.

• When wood is soaked by water, spores attach, and the wood begins to rot. Rotting wood is far more attractive to worker termites.
• When wind beats on the side of a home, gaps can form, and protective materials can blow off. When an opening appears, termites can more easily get inside.
• When the ground is softened by rainwater, sometimes cracks can form in concrete foundations. A crack can provide a pathway for a worker termite to go from the soil into the wood inside the home.
• When heavy rains fall, they can overwhelm gutters and cause groundwater levels to rise next to your home. This excess moisture invites termite problems.
• When high winds knock debris from trees, the ground covering and downed wood provide food sources that can inspire termite activity.

Weather plays a big role in making your home susceptible to termite damage, but it is not the only factor to consider. You must also consider how termites cause damage. Here are a few traits you should know about these destructive pests.

• A termite worker doesn't need to sleep. It can stay active 24 hours a day all year long and continue to nibble on your property without ceasing.
• A termite worker doesn't eat much, but it doesn't come to the dinner table alone. One colony of termites can contain tens of thousands of workers.
• Termite workers travel quite a distance in search of food. Some experts estimate that they can go as much as one hundred yards. Therefore, you can have more than one colony feeding on your home.
• Subterranean termites live in the ground and sneak into homes, quietly feeding on wood without detection. Their secretive nature is what allows them to feed on properties for years without being noticed.
• When termite nests produce winged reproductives, these insects can take to the air and are sometimes seen during spring days. But don't count on seeing these swarmers. The swarms don't last long, and when they disperse, the termite couples attempt to create viable nests out of sight. A small problem can turn into a big problem fast if termites are given the right conditions. 

Are you starting to see a picture form? Termites are formidable opponents, and there are conditions that invite a termite infestation. If you are aware of what termites are hoping to find, you can deter them by making your property less conducive. You can also use this information to locate termite activity if you know where to look.  

Where Termites Are Most Likely To Strike

The behavior patterns of termites cause them to hide from view. As you search for evidence of termites in your home or on your property, there are a few places you should look first. In these places, look for worker termites, swarmers, termite wings, signs of damage, and mud tubes.

• Termites hide underneath dead branches, firewood, and other sources of wood in your yard. Check underneath for termite activity.
• Termites eat materials found in junk piles, such as cardboard, paper, and fabrics. If you have a junk pile, look for signs of termites, then store the pile in a container or remove it from your property.
• Termites feed on wooden flower beds, plant pots, decks, landscape borders, lawn furniture, and other sources of cellulose in your yard. Look for termites or mud tubes in the soil in places where wood and soil come in contact.
• Wood skirting is an attractive food source, particularly if the wood touches the soil. Check near the ground and on the back of the wooden skirting where it is hidden from the light.
• A home with a back deck and wood supports driven into the ground provides a pathway for termites to enter your home. Check for mud tubes at the base of supports or dig the soil to find wood damage or worker termites.
• Homes with a crawl space underneath provide a dark, humid space for termite workers. Look for mud tubes in this hidden location.

Termites are sneaky. You'll have to look closely and with great effort to find them. It is a bit stressful. But you can relieve the stress by having a termite control professional perform annual inspections or have a termite control solution installed. 

Why Ongoing Termite Control Is The Only Way To Protect Your Home

Termites in Plano can damage your home. We can't tell you how much damage they'll do before you catch them, but we can say with certainty that termite damage is preventable. Contact All-Safe Pest & Termite to learn about the most trusted and environmentally friendly solution to termite damage, The Sentricon® System with Always Active™. Sentricon® is an award-winning system with over two decades of proven effectiveness. There is no better way to eliminate termite colonies. When termite workers come to make a meal out of your home, they find the bait in your Sentricon® stations, which is scientifically proven more interesting to termite workers than wood. When they take the bait, they share it. The active ingredient moves through the colony and leads to elimination. Best of all, when workers take the bait, your termite control professional knows it and shares this information with you. There is no price tag you can put on that. It is encouraging to learn that your termite control is getting the job done.

Do you need termite control in Plano? Contact All-Safe Pest & Termite today and ask us about The Sentricon® System with Always Active™. We can answer your questions and help you decide if this system is the right choice for you. Our certified termite control professionals look forward to helping you get the necessary protection you need to prevent termite damage and guard your property.