Temperatures in Arizona can reach well over 100 degrees in the summer, which seems to stretch out far longer than the actual three months that the seasons dictate. Yet, despite the specific temperature requirements that termites have, you can find termites throughout Arizona even during the hottest months.
Termites are cold-blooded. We don’t just mean that they’re unfeeling because they will eat through your home without a second thought as to your comfort or the years you have poured into creating a safe and loving space for your family. We mean that their bodies are actually cold, and they can’t actually survive in temperatures above 100 degrees (or below 25 degrees, for that matter).
So how is it that they are able to continue chewing through the beams of your home when temperatures are far higher than that on a regular basis across Arizona?
Subterranean termites are one of the most common types of termites in Arizona. They can dig deep under the ground, where the temperatures are just perfect for their needs.
But, as you may have guessed, there isn’t a lot of food for these termites underground. So, they have to come to the surface eventually to find wood and other items containing cellulose. Studies have found that these termites have developed a system whereby they can detect changes in the surface temperature even when they are deep underground. They can sense shadows from vegetation and even structures – so they know exactly where your house is above the surface, looking like a giant buffet.
Termites can tunnel underground until they find suitable shade for their meal, and then they come up and eat to their heart’s content. If the meal they have found is your house, they can burrow inside and live out the rest of their merry days, eating through all the wood in your house for 24 hours a day, seven days a week until there’s nothing left. (Hopefully, you’ll notice there’s a problem before then….)
Drywood termites do not tunnel under the ground, and they are not adapted to survive in the ground. Yet, they still have to find ways to beat the heat also. What they do is burrow deeper into the wood they are eating, using the outside of the log or beam to protect them from the sun.
The good thing about this is that drywood termites can’t tunnel their way to your house. But if you have piles of wood near your house – such as firewood or brush that you haven’t cleaned up – they can easily get to your house and make that their new nesting and feeding location. The bad news is if that happens, you aren’t likely to notice until there is serious damage since the termites will burrow deep inside your home’s wood for protection.
How do you discover that termites have taken up residence in your home if they are burrowing deep in the wood in the walls and floors of your home? It’s not like you’re going to see them marching in a trail across your floor, like you would ants.
You need to look for signs around your house, such as mud tubes on the ground or near the foundation. These are signs that subterranean termites have made their way to your home. Keep wood piles and brush away from your house to keep drywood termites away.
Signs that termites have already taken up inside your house include:
Peeling or cracking paint
A hollow sound when you tap the walls or pieces of wood
Sagging floors
Loose tiles
Discolored walls
Windows or doors that are stuck or are difficult to open or close
Piles of frass, which can look like sawdust or dirt
Piles of discarded wings, which can look like fish scales
If you notice any of these signs, it means that you already have a termite problem. Termites do not have to be present in your home for a long time to cause major damage. You need to act as quickly as possible to address your termite problem if you notice any of these signs of the presence of termites.
Scheduling a yearly inspection can also help you find termites early. A good Mesa pest control company can set up a maintenance plan to eradicate termites and to prevent new infestations.
Varsity Termite and Pest Control can help you get your termite problem under control. Termites are common pests in Arizona, even with our extreme temperatures. We can perform a thorough inspection of your home to discover termites even if there are no obvious signs of infestation. Our professional exterminators can eradicate whatever termites are present, and they can put a plan in place to keep out new pests. Our experienced exterminators know how to deal with all the termite species that are present in Arizona, and they know how to get results fast. Call us today to schedule an inspection or to learn more about your termite control options.
Published By:
Varsity Termite and Pest Control
6056 E Baseline Rd #122
Mesa, AZ85206
Office: 602-757-8252
Website: https://varsity.myfavoritewebdesigns.com
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