What Happens If Termites Go Untreated
Termites look very similar to carpenter ants although they do not have segmented bodies. They also do a similar level of damage although carpenter ants don’t eat the wood, they simply move it to create tunnels, reducing it to sawdust in the process. In contrast, termites create tunnels because they are eating the wood to survive.
That doesn’t make having termites preferable to carpenter ants, untreated termites can be a serious issue for you and your home. If you think you have an issue you need to contact your pest control service as soon as possible.
Eating Habits
Termites eat wood to survive and they can eat as much as one foot of a 2x4 piece in just 6 months. That may not sound that much but in reality, they will be eating tunnels through various pieces of wood during that time.
Of course, there are some termites that can eat much faster but the average termite colony will perform as stated.
The problem is there is no limit to the number of colonies you can have in your home and in many cases, the damage goes unnoticed for an extended period of time. This is because termites generally work out of site unless you have a regular inspection by a company such as tucson pest control you won’t know they are there until the damage becomes visible.
At that point, you’ll need to have the experts in fast. You can click here to get hold of a reputable expert. They’ll quickly locate and eradicate the issue but that won’t reverse the damage that has been done. That’s the crucial thing about termites.
Once they’ve eaten through wood it can’t be undone.
Wood with lots of tunnels in it will be weaker, eventually, it will simply give way. When the wood structure of your home starts to give way you’ll be faced with structural issues. It may be possible to add new supports and replace damaged wood, but, in extreme cases, the damage will be too severe and the house will be condemned.
Don’t forget termites won’t just target the structure of your home, any wood in it is fair game, from cupboards to picture frames.
In short, if termites go untreated for several years you may not have a house to save.
You need to have a regular inspection by your local pest control company and be aware of the common signs yourself:
Hollow sounding wood when tapped with a screwdriver.
Visible small holes in wood surfaces
Possibly dirt present on the inside of the tiny tunnels
Holes in the soil around the home. You can fill these and they’ll reappear within a day or two.
Wings on the floor, this is a sign termites are establishing a new colony as the scouting termites lose their wings once they’re ready to build a colony.
It can take between 3 and 8 years for termites to make the average building structurally unsafe. The simplest solution is yearly checks by a professional, allowing any issue to be stopped before it becomes serious.