Salem is the capital of Oregon; it provides all the amenities of a big city but doesn’t hold back its quaint small-town vibe. This capital is home to one-of-a-kind sites that showcase its unique outdoor activities, arts and entertainment scene, and fantastic shopping and outlet experiences. One pest in the area that can carve one-of-a-kind patterns into the wood of your home is the termite. Without pest control in Salem, local termite “art” could cost local homeowners tons of money.
How To Identify Termites And Their Damage
Termites in Salem are notorious for their wood fetish. Since they can significantly damage structural areas of your home over time, it is essential to recognize their characteristics and the signs of damage they cause. While Oregon residents can battle drywood or dampwood termites, the western subterranean termite is the most destructive and typical of the three. Termites work within a caste system. Flying termites (swarmers) have dull gray wings and dark brown bodies which measure about 3/8 inches long. Homeowners usually notice them when they find them lying around windows and doors. The workers are responsible for locating food and use their small jaws to plow through wood and plant products; they measure anywhere from 1/4 to 3/8 inches long and typically have a pale, creamy color. Soldiers have the job of protecting the nest. They share similarities with the workers but have rectangular-shaped heads that are dark brown, and their jaws are enormous. Each member of the caste system does their job well and can leave significant signs of damage.
Signs of termite damage can include the following:
- Hollow sounds when tapping wood
- Striations in wood resemble pages from a book
- Sunken or bubbling areas behind paint and wallpaper
- Wood that looks thin and is easily poked through (crumbles)
- Wood with a dark/blistered appearance
- Weak/sagging floors
- Termite feces (sawdust) under active work areas
By the time homeowners begin to notice signs of termites, a termite infestation is probably well underway. With regular termite inspections by the pest professionals at Kanga Pest Control, homeowners can limit or prevent long-term termite damages.
Why And How Termites Infest And Destroy Homes
Termites enjoy warm temperatures and moist, decaying wood. Their appetite for cellulose products (which includes wood) is insatiable. When outside food and moisture sources become depleted, workers typically use mud tubes to travel in search of new supplies, which often has termites bumping into homes. They can squeeze through cracks and crevices less than 1/16 inches wide to access wooden materials. Abundant food and moisture sources often result in termites splintering off and establishing multiple colonies throughout a dwelling. One small settlement can go through a 2×4 piece of lumber within a year. If infestations are allowed to continue unabated, severe structural damage can occur, and costs for repair can be devastating.
Factors That Attract Termites To Homes And How To Remove Them
The primary factors that attract termites to homes are cellulose and moisture availability. Once homeowners learn what lures termites to homes, they can start instituting changes to help prevent them from finding their homes inviting.
Four factors that lure termites to your doorstep include the following:
- Water accumulation around your home’s foundation
- High humidity and improper ventilation in crawlspaces
- Wood scraps and wood debris lying in your yard
- Having less than a one-inch gap between the soil and wood portions of your home
Locating and removing termite colonies from your home is challenging. The only way to ensure termites get completely removed is by contacting Kanga Pest Control.
The Benefits Of Year-Round Professional Termite Control
Because termites can attack at any moment by silently entering buildings, a year-round protection plan is vital. At Kanga Pest Control, we offer termite pest control solutions that address your specific needs at a reasonable price. With all the expenses of home ownership, why add termites to the mix. Contact Kanga Pest Control today to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Salem and to set up a protection plan to help bring you peace of mind.
