Smash Pest Control Is the Ultimate Termite Terminator for Homeowners in Middle Tennessee
Termites can cause thousands of dollars in property damage before you even know there’s a problem. The best way to protect your home from termites is to take a proactive approach to termite prevention. At Smash Pest Control, we provide comprehensive termite control solutions, tailored to the specific needs of your home or business. Don’t let termites take control of your property. Trust us to smash the termite threat and request your free estimate today.
What Do Termites Look Like?
There are about 45 different species of termites found throughout the United States with three being the most prominent: subterranean termites, drywood termites, and dampwood termites. Subterranean termites are the most common types of termites found in Tennessee. As evidenced by their moniker, subterranean termites live underground in large colonies. Their primary sources of food are wood and other cellulose materials such as paper, cardboard, and plant debris.
Termites vary in appearance depending on the species and their role within the colony:
- Worker termites. If you see termites around your home, it’s most likely workers. They’re responsible for locating food, taking care of the young, and maintaining tunnels. Workers are the smallest members of the colony, usually measuring around a quarter of an inch to half of an inch in length. They’re pale in color, ranging from creamy white to light brown.
- Soldier termites. Soldiers are darker in color and a little bigger than worker termites. The biggest distinction is their massive and powerful jaws which help them to defend the colony from predators like ants and beetles.
- Reproductive termites. Also known as swarmers and alates, reproductive termites are bigger than workers or soldiers, and they’re the only members of the colony to have wings. They leave the nest during the swarming season to mate and form new colonies – forming the termite swarms we commonly see in Middle Tennessee in the spring.
Many termite colonies have a queen and king. Both are larger than their royal subjects but are rarely seen out and about.
What Attracts Termites to a Home?
Termites are attracted to your home by a few key factors. Understanding these vulnerabilities – along with scheduling regular termite inspections – can help you prevent a devastating infestation.
Here are some things to monitor:
- There is a lot of moisture around your home. This is the biggest draw for termites, especially those of the subterranean variety. Check your home for leaky pipes and other areas for signs of poor drainage. Damp basements and crawl spaces are often the perfect environment for these destructive critters to flourish.
- There are food sources readily available. Termites feed on cellulose, which is found in wood, paper, cardboard, and other plant-based materials. Houses with wooden structures like framing, siding, decks, and fences are all-you-can-eat buffets for termites. Also, be mindful of stored firewood, mulch touching your foundation, and dead trees and stumps near your home.
- They have easy access. Termites are opportunists. They can get into your home via cracks in the foundation and gaps around pipes. We can seal these entry points with our animal exclusion services.
- Lackadaisical landscaping. Termites can take shelter in mulch beds, and they can get into your property when there is too much mulch against the foundation. You should also trim back vegetation and clear out any wayward tree branches.
Why Do Flying Termites Suddenly Appear?
It’s spring. The weather is finally taking a turn for the better. Flowers are blooming, the hummingbirds have taken to the sky, and so have the termites.
Yes, termites.
A sudden termite swarm can catch you off guard, but there’s actually nothing random about it. Swarming is a natural part of their reproductive process as it’s when mature termites leave their colonies to mate and establish new territories.
A termite swarm is cause for concern because it means there is a healthy, thriving colony nearby. The idea of flying termites is scary on its own, but your property is especially vulnerable to infestation during this period because termites are actively seeking out prime real estate to set up new colonies. Termite swarms can be triggered by a few factors including warm weather and the size of their current nests. When you see flying termites – especially inside your home or business – get in touch with Smash Pest Control to schedule an inspection.
Flying ants are often mistaken for termites and it can be tricky to tell the difference. You can usually distinguish the two by coloring – flying ants are black, brown, or dark red while termites are off-white or light brown. If you’re daring enough to catch one, you can get a closer look at its antennae. Termites have straight antennae whereas flying ants have elbowed antennae.
Protect Your Property From Termites
Some insects can be beneficial to have around, but you can’t coexist with termites. Their primary goal is to feed which puts your property at risk for expensive damage. You can stop termites before they have a chance to destroy your home or business. Call Smash Pest Control for your annual termite inspection at 615-551-4029, or you can get a free estimate online now.
The ants go marching one by one – uh-oh, not a good sign. Our Pest Guide can spell it out for you.