Before you hire a pest control company, you should know what to look for. Some companies will not treat the entire foundation wall. Others will perform spot treatments on specific areas. Although spot treatments may seem cheaper than full treatments, they may not be effective enough to eliminate the problem. The best way to avoid paying more than you need to for pest control is to get a professional inspection and treatment. Listed below are some of the most common signs of termite infestations in Arizona.
Worker termites
The main difference between worker and reproductive termites is that the latter are smaller and can be difficult to spot. Both are attracted to light and fresh air. They can also be seen in areas where people won’t be able to notice them. You can often recognize these creatures by the honeycomb-like indentations on baseboards and dead wood, as well as any areas of moist soil. In most cases, you can identify a current infestation if you spot swarms.
Queen termites
The queen termite is the dominant female in a termite colony. She controls reproduction and lays thousands of eggs a day. As the queen of the colony, she must regulate the production of eggs because she needs workers to nurture the eggs. She also produces pheromones, which influence all life within the colony. These pheromones can identify the genus of termite in the egg.
Reproductive winged termites
Reproductive winged termites have wings and are often mistaken for flying ants or mosquitoes. While they may look like a pest, winged termites aren’t harmful to humans and aren’t known to transmit any diseases. Swarming is an indication that a termite colony has grown in size and has started to produce new colonies. If you see a swarm, contact a pest control professional.
Termite swarmers
Termite swarmers are small winged insects that emerge from crevices in walls, floors, and glass doors. Termite swarms do not cause much damage, and the termites do not bite humans or pets. While they do swarm, spammers are annoying and short-lived. However, they are an indication of an infestation and should be dealt with immediately.
Termite colonies
Termite colonies are self-replicating, and in some cases, a colony may consist of thousands of individual termites. Winged reproductives leave the nest in swarms and die due to predation. Swarms occur at different times throughout the year and are especially common during afternoons and after a soaking rain. Termite fliers (Heterotermes aureus) typically flutter late at night in July and August.
Treatment options
There are many treatment options for termites, but which ones are the best? Your budget, infestation level, and type of termite damage will all determine which treatment is best for you. Spot treatments are quick, and effective, but are only effective at eradicating the immediate infestation. Spot treatments do not control the colony at the soil level. Repeated treatments are required to ensure successful results. Long-term programs are more comprehensive and targeted, and offer long-term guarantees, typically seven years.
If you need help with getting rid of Termites in Arizona contact ACTION Termite & Pest Control for help.
