There are a number of things that could result in significant damage to your home here in Florida. Our weather can be quite temperamental, the summer heat can be extreme, and the moisture is persistent. But, one of the most powerfully destructive forces homeowners deal with is termites. As unassuming as these tiny pests may look, they are powerful enough to do a tremendous amount of damage.
Most homes in Central Florida will be exposed to termites at one time or another. Buildings treated with professional termite control will fare best in the end. If you’re feeling a little uneducated about these dangerous munchy pests, here are five things you need to know.
1. They Eat Non-Stop
Termites eat twenty-four hours a day and will eat any form of cellulose they can get their hands on. Most often, that cellulose is in the form of wood and even drywall. Unfortunately, they don’t limit themselves to the structure of your home, they can also find their way into wooden furniture.
2. Termites Communicate Through Sound
Did you know that termites talk to one another? Termite colonies communicate important information using soft clicking noises. Therefore, a large enough infestation can be heard through your walls. If you want to avoid overhearing a colony in your walls, hire a professional termite company.
3. Termite Queens Lay Tons of Eggs
Termites are extremely prolific. Some queens lay up to twenty-five eggs per minute, meaning the colonies can reproduce and expand at an incredible rate. Bearing in mind our knowledge of how hungry termites are, you can imagine how dangerous it is to have a colony that is constantly eating and expanding.
4. Long Live The Termite Queens
In addition to being hungry and prolific, termite queens can live more than 20 years. Depending on the age of your home and the age of your family, an untreated termite colony may live in your home just as long as your minor children! We can help you protect your home and preserve it for generations.
5. Termites Have A Distinct Smell
Termite infestations have a distinct smell. If you’ve ever walked into a house and smelled a strong, musty odor similar to mold or mildew, it may come from a termite colony. Since termites live in search of dark, damp spaces, it only makes sense they would carry the smell of mildew with them. Besides keeping your home safe, termite control may also make your home smell better!
As much as we preach about the dangers of termite infestation, we have to admit it’s fascinating to learn about them. Termites cause millions of dollars of home damage around the United States each year, and it’s wild to imagine how such a small bug could leave such a mark. Perhaps we should think of termites the way we do wild animals. They’re interesting to learn about, but let’s not invite them inside our homes.
If you’re a homeowner in Central Florida, the chances are good that (if you haven’t already) you’ll encounter a termite colony at some point. Consistent professional termite control services are a really important investment if you want to protect your home against an infestation. At Holder Pest Control, we’ve been treating homes in this area for decades, and we look forward to helping keep your home safe. Contact our office to get started.
