Missouri Termites: How to keep your home in one piece.
You may not even know it, but there could be critters chewing on your home at this very moment! For homeowners in Northeast Missouri, termites can be a significant concern.
If you want to protect your home from termite damage, understanding how to identify and prevent them is really important. We'll walk you through some crucial aspects of termite control, tailored specifically for the unique conditions of Northeast Missouri.
In this article, you will learn:
How to identify termites in Northeast Missouri.
Effective termite prevention strategies for local homeowners.
Professional termite control solutions available in Northeast Missouri.
Let's dive into the details to help you safeguard your home.
Identification and Life Cycle
Termites are small, wood-eating insects that can cause significant damage to homes and buildings. In Northeast Missouri, the most common types of termites are subterranean termites. These termites live in colonies underground and build mud tubes to access above-ground food sources, such as the wooden structures of your home.
Identification
Subterranean termites are usually light brown to creamy white and have soft bodies. Worker termites, which do most of the damage, are typically about 1/8 inch long. Soldiers, who protect the colony, have larger heads and mandibles. Winged reproductive termites, also known as swarmers, are darker and about 1/4 to 1/2 inch long with two pairs of wings of equal length.
Key signs of termite presence include:
Mud tubes on exterior walls, wooden beams, or in crawl spaces.
Hollow-sounding wood when tapped.
Discarded wings near windows or doors.
Frass (termite droppings) that looks like sawdust.
Life Cycle
Termites have a complicated life history, as eggs and nymphs can become one of four castes living in a colony.
Primary reproductives are the king and queen that mate and lay eggs. They swarm in the spring, shed their wings, and become founders of the termite colony.
Secondary reproductives develop from nymphs after a colony is well established and don't fully develop wings. That can help to lay eggs for the colony.
Workers do all the work around the colony, including building and repairing the nest, foraging for food, and caring for the young.
Soldiers guard and defend the nest from invaders. They typically are larger with mandibles, and in some species, they have chemical defenses too.
Swarmers, or winged termites that are reproductives, will fly away from the colony during the spring. This usually happens on a warm day after a rain. You may see both swarming ants and swarming termites at the same time in this area of Missouri. Swarming ants will have bent antennae and a constricted waist.
Preventing Termite Infestations in Northeast Missouri
After a male and female termite swarm and mate, they will shed their wings and begin constructing their nest. Subterranean termites will begin invading your home around and under your home. However, there are many ways you can prevent them from using your home as their buffet:
Reduce and eliminate moisture: This can be challenging for us with so much humidity in the air, but you want to keep water away from your foundation or home. Make sure any crawlspace or basement is well-ventilated.
Keep wood from contacting soil: Termites must have contact with soil to live. If they dry out, they will die. That's why they create their mud tubes. However, if you have untreated wood, like from a deck or porch, touching the ground, then there's a good chance termites will infest it.
Move firewood: Keeping firewood or any wood debris away from the house is best. Store it at least 20 feet away from your foundation and keep it off the ground if possible.
Regular inspections: If you've noticed swarmers near your home, it may be best to get your home inspected for termite damage. This includes underneath, around, and inside the home.
Acting quickly if you suspect a problem can save you a lot of time and money.
Why Choose Pest Pro Solutions for Termite Control?
Calling a professional pest control company can sometimes feel a little unnerving. At Pest Pro Solutions, we make pest control easy and convenient for you. Our professional team of experts has the knowledge and skills to keep termites away from your most valuable asset.
Whether you need a termite inspection, monitoring, or effective treatments, you're just a call away from getting a pest-free home.
Get in touch with us today for a free consultation!
