In our part of the Southwest, termites are responsible for more costly damage to our homes than any other pest. Every year thousands of homeowners discover these insects burrowing into the wooden structure of their homes.
Unlike most other pests that might invade your house, termites have no interest in a warm place to stay or food in your pantry; they are here attacking the structural parts of your home. And unlike the damage done by fires, floods, or hurricanes, termite damage is not covered by insurance policies.
You’re most likely to run into drywood or subterranean termites in the Tucson area. Both species vary from creamy white to dark brown with thin, oblong-shaped bodies. Drywood termites can get almost an inch big. Subterranean termites are much smaller than drywood termites, growing only to about 1/8 of an inch in length.
The most significant difference between the two species, besides the size, is the number of members in a colony. While drywood termites might have up to 2500 members, subterranean termites have colonies ten times that size.
Let’s look at signs of termite infestation to watch for, what attracts termites to your home, and where to find top-notch if you are dealing with a termite infestation.
How To Identify Termite Damage
The most obvious sign of termites on your property is the damage they cause to your home’s wooden structures. If you knock on it, termite-infested wood will have a hollow sound, and you’ll often see small round holes. Some of the other warning signs of termite infestation are:
- Seeing winged adult termites,” swarmers,” usually after a rain.
- Finding shed termite wings around windows and doors.
- Seeing small piles of termite sawdust-like “frass” produced by termites as they chew through wood.
- Finding mud tubes on your foundation if you are dealing with subterranean termites.
- Seeing uneven, bubbling paint or wood darkening in color.
usually start burrowing into the house from underneath without making noise or attracting attention, making spotting an infestation very difficult until there’s significant damage.
Why Termites Infest And Destroy Wooden Structures
Termite diets consist mainly of cellulose. Under normal circumstances, they feed on fibers of dead or dying trees, but when food becomes scarce, termites head out to look for new food sources.
Once , they have perfect conditions to build a colony and abundant food supply. Unfortunately, to termites, the wood we carefully dry and use to make our homes, looks like a feast. The damage they cause as they bore and eat through lumber to extract cellulose often goes unnoticed until costly repairs are needed.
Factors That Attract Termites To Your Home
Termites, like any other pest, don’t abandon their natural outdoor habitat unless tempted by more desirable accommodations. Following these simple tips will make your home look less appetizing to termites:
- Take care of any leaking pipes or faucets.
- Seal cracks in walls and foundation.
- Keep basements and crawl spaces well-ventilated.
- Store firewood away from the walls.
- Ensure that you treat any wood in direct contact with the soil.
Unfortunately, sometimes prevention does not succeed, and your home might still become infested with termites.
The Best Thing To Do If You Spot Signs Of Termite Damage
If you’ve spotted signs of a termite infestation, quickly taking charge of the situation is crucial to prevent termites from causing significant damage to your Tucson house.
As a locally owned and operated business, Green Home Pest Control will put over 30 years of experience into and preventing a reinfestation. We use eco-friendly products that are safe for children and pets but are guaranteed to ensure your home is pest free.
If your home is under attack by termites, reach out to Green Home Pest Control today to get started and to learn more about our services.
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 21 years of pest control experience
 Founder and Owner of Green Home Pest Control
 13 year resident of Arizona
