Termite Identification & Prevention

Frequently Asked Questions About Termites

What are termites?

The most important thing to understand about termites is that they are insects you never want to allow into your Maryland home. They are destructive pests that are difficult to eliminate and control.

Termites are unique insects because they are one of the few organisms able to convert the cellulose found in wood and other organic materials into a usable food source. They can convert cellulose into a nutrition source thanks to the help of microorganisms living in their digestive tract.

Several different kinds of termites live in the United States, but subterranean termites are the most widespread here in Maryland. These termites live together in large colonies; they have high moisture needs and build their underground nests in damp soil. Subterranean termites feed on wood that is wet or decaying.

Are termites dangerous?

Unlike other types of insects that regularly invade our Maryland properties, you won't have to worry about being stung by termites or worry about them contaminating your family's food, or spreading diseases that make you and your family ill.

What you need to worry about is the structural damage termites and their voracious feeding habits can cause to your property. Termites are destructive pests, and while out foraging for food, they often wind up in our homes, usually after being attracted to the damp soil found around the perimeter of our homes. Once they get inside, any structural wood in your home damaged by moisture becomes a potential source of nutrition for termites.

When it comes to a termite infestation, you not only have to worry about the damage the termites cause but why they were attracted to your home. Subterranean termites usually indicate a moisture problem within your home that you need to find the root cause of and repair.

Why do I have a termite problem?

Every year, usually sometime in the spring, after heavy rainfall, winged reproductive termites (swarmers) swarm from mature termite nests. They search for a mate and a suitable nesting spot to create a new colony.

If you spot winged termites, piles of their wings, or termites crawling on your home's surfaces, a nest is likely nearby or soon will be.

When termites are nesting and foraging for food near our homes, it is common for them to enter inside through small cracks in the foundation or wood on your home, making contact with the ground. Once they discover your house is a foraging site, they will return daily.

Where will I find termites?

Subterranean termites nest underground and travel through the soil or above the ground through mud tubes that they create. Their high moisture needs mean they must have constant contact with the damp soil to survive.

The subterranean termite's underground lifestyle means they are not an insect you will see out and about regularly. Their ability to remain in our homes unnoticed is why these pests can cause more than five billion dollars in damages across the United States each year.

In your house, termites feed on structural wood behind walls, under the floors, and above ceilings. Wood located near drains, water pipes, windows, doors, and other moisture sources is most likely to become a termite's colony foraging grounds.

How do I get rid of termites?

If you are concerned that termites have found their way to your home or you would like to prevent problems with termites, reach out to a local professional. The professionals at Accutech Pest Management are committed to our customers and providing exceptional termite control near you. Our termite control services include the following:

• A thorough "Inside Outside Top to Bottom" termite inspection 
• The development of a treatment plan 
• Treatment
• An annual follow-up visit
• A yearly renewable service warranty

Contact us for more information about our home pest control service and how to partner with us to help guard your Maryland home against hungry, destructive termites.

How can I prevent termites in the future?

Below are some easy ways to avoid future problems with termites.

• Reduce moisture around your home; repair leaky pipes and hoses and cut back shrubs and bushes from your home's exterior.
• Create a crushed stone barrier between any mulch and your foundation.
• Remove woodpiles, leaf piles, and other yard debris from your property.
• Never store firewood right next to your home's exterior. 
• Use dehumidifiers and air conditioners to reduce humidity levels in your house.
• Properly seal doors and windows and make sure there are no defects in the roof to help keep your home's structural wood from becoming water damaged.

For the best pest control in Pasadena, MD, reach out today!