Subterranean Termites in Sevierville, TN
Awareness and Prevention Tips
(Serving Sevierville, Knoxville, Blount, and Surrounding Tennessee Areas)
Posted on March 14, 2023 | By All About Bugs TN Termite Awareness and Prevention Tips
This Subterranean Termites in Sevierville, TN, Awareness and Prevention Tips article is to inform you about the signs of termites, how to prevent termite infestations, and why it is imperative to have an annual termite inspection by your local All About Bugs TN Pest and Termite Control Specialist.
Winged Reproductive Termite Swarm
The weather is getting warmer. With higher temperatures, the possibility of swarming termite infestations arise as well.
Each spring, destructive subterranean termites emerge from the soil. Equipped with four wings, reproducing termites emerge from colonies in large numbers. These swarmers are attracted to light. Often, you will see them along window sills, doors, light fixtures, and vents.
These swarmers are in search of a mate. Their purpose is to form new destructive colonies.
Awareness and Prevention Tips #1
How to Identify Winged Termites vs. Winged Ants
Folks sometimes get winged termites confused with flying ants. If you know what to look for, you can tell the difference between the two. Review the illustration chart below.
Awareness and Prevention Tips #2
Alarming Facts About Termites
Why the fuss about subterranean termites? Subterranean Termites are considered the most destructive of their species. These non-stop, active creatures eat 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
In general, termites cause more than 6.8 billion dollars (per year) in damage throughout the United States. Worst yet, your homeowner’s insurance may not cover termite damage.
Not seriously taking termite preventative measures could cost you your home — literally. As the diagram (below) shows, a single colony of Formosan subterranean termites could eat the whole structure of your house within two years!
Awareness and Prevention Tips #3
How to Look for Signs of Termites Around your Home or Building
A good indicator of possible termite infestation is swarms of winged termites around your home. However, even if you do not see swarm activity, it does not mean your house or dwelling is safe from termites.
Another telltale activity of subterranean termites is the construction of mud tubes built with tiny pieces of soil, termite saliva, and feces.
Subterranean termites build mud tubes for protection from predators. They also use them as highways to bridge their colony to the wood they consume.
Subterranean Termite Mud Tubes connect colonies in soil with wood in the structure. Picture courtesy of IFAS Extension, University of Florida
Subterranean termite mud tubes generally appear near the foundation of a home or building. Inspect the foundation of your dwelling where it meets the soil. Do you see mud shelter tubes? If so, you may have a termite infestation. Call your local All About Bugs TN professional immediately.
Here are a few other signs of termite activity:
- Windows or doors that are hard to open
- Pinholes in your paint or wallpaper
- Hollow-sounding wood when tapped
- Damaged wood that easily crumbles
- Furniture, floorboards, or walls that have maze-like patterns
- Piles of discarded termite swarmer wings (resemble fish scales)
Awareness and Prevention Tips #4
How to Prevent Subterranean Termite Infestations
Preventative measures are the best way to control and keep termite infestations at bay.
Termites love to eat wood and are attracted to moisture. With that in mind, you do not want to place wooden landscape mulch, plants, and irrigation within 2 feet of the foundation.
Make sure that any water that comes out of the downspout runs away from your dwelling. If you use splash blocks, point them away from your foundation.
Here are a few other preventative termite measures to consider:
- Maintain a safe wood pile: Do not stack wood against or near your house. Never allow wood piles to touch the ground.
- Inspect firewood for termites and mud tubes.
- Remove fallen vegetation such as blown-down trees, dying shrubs, and roots from dead plants from your property.
- Trim or thin plants that grow around your foundation.
- Guard against moisture. Eliminate plumbing leaks, water from air conditioner condensation, leaking gutters, and drainage in the crawl space under the house.
- Seal and repair cracks. Gaps or openings that lead into your house are entryways for termites and other pests.
The above preventative measures encourage you to keep wood and vegetation away from your foundation. Following the suggestions above creates an unfriendly habitat for termites and a pest-free environment for you and your family.
Subterranean Termites can be difficult to detect since they hide in wood and underground. Because of their hidden activity, have your house or building inspected yearly by a trained professional.
Your local All About Bugs TN Pest Technician can spot termite infestations. All About Bugs TN also can provide a treatment plan to protect your dwelling year-round.
If it’s buggin you,
You should be buggin us!
Contact All About Bugs TN for Spring and Summer
Pest Control in Sevierville, TN, and Surrounding Areas.
Call Today for a Free Summer Pest Control Inspection & Quote
All About Bugs TN Provides Residential and Commercial Pest Control for Sevierville, TN and Surrounding Areas.
This Subterranean Termites in Sevierville, TN, Awareness and Prevention Tips article is to inform you about the signs of termites, how to prevent termite infestations, and why it is imperative to have an annual termite inspection by your local All About Bugs TN Pest and Termite Control Specialist.
Winged Reproductive Termite Swarm
The weather is getting warmer. With higher temperatures, the possibility of swarming termite infestations arise as well.
Each spring, destructive subterranean termites emerge from the soil. Equipped with four wings, reproducing termites emerge from colonies in large numbers. These swarmers are attracted to light. Often, you will see them along window sills, doors, light fixtures, and vents.
These swarmers are in search of a mate. Their purpose is to form new destructive colonies.
Awareness and Prevention Tips #1
How to Identify Winged Termites vs. Winged Ants
Folks sometimes get winged termites confused with flying ants. If you know what to look for, you can tell the difference between the two. Review the illustration chart below.
Awareness and Prevention Tips #2
Alarming Facts About Termites
Why the fuss about subterranean termites? Subterranean Termites are considered the most destructive of their species. These non-stop, active creatures eat 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
In general, termites cause more than 6.8 billion dollars (per year) in damage throughout the United States. Worst yet, your homeowner’s insurance may not cover termite damage.
Not seriously taking termite preventative measures could cost you your home — literally. As the diagram (below) shows, a single colony of Formosan subterranean termites could eat the whole structure of your house within two years!
If it’s buggin you,
You should be buggin us!
Contact All About Bugs TN for Spring and Summer Pest Control in Sevierville, TN, and Surrounding Areas.
Awareness and Prevention Tips #3
How to Look for Signs of Termites Around your Home or Building
A good indicator of possible termite infestation is swarms of winged termites around your home. However, even if you do not see swarm activity, it does not mean your house or dwelling is safe from termites.
Another telltale activity of subterranean termites is the construction of mud tubes built with tiny pieces of soil, termite saliva, and feces.
Subterranean termites build mud tubes for protection from predators. They also use them as highways to bridge their colony to the wood they consume.
Subterranean Termite Mud Tubes connect colonies in soil with wood in the structure. Picture courtesy of IFAS Extension, University of Florida
Subterranean termite mud tubes generally appear near the foundation of a home or building. Inspect the foundation of your dwelling where it meets the soil. Do you see mud shelter tubes? If so, you may have a termite infestation. Call your local All About Bugs TN professional immediately.
Here are a few other signs of termite activity:
- Windows or doors that are hard to open
- Pinholes in your paint or wallpaper
- Hollow-sounding wood when tapped
- Damaged wood that easily crumbles
- Furniture, floorboards, or walls that have maze-like patterns
- Piles of discarded termite swarmer wings (resemble fish scales)
Awareness and Prevention Tips #4
How to Prevent Subterranean Termite Infestations
Preventative measures are the best way to control and keep termite infestations at bay.
Termites love to eat wood and are attracted to moisture. With that in mind, you do not want to place wooden landscape mulch, plants, and irrigation within 2 feet of the foundation.
Make sure that any water that comes out of the downspout runs away from your dwelling. If you use splash blocks, point them away from your foundation.
Here are a few other preventative termite measures to consider:
- Maintain a safe wood pile: Do not stack wood against or near your house. Never allow wood piles to touch the ground.
- Inspect firewood for termites and mud tubes.
- Remove fallen vegetation such as blown-down trees, dying shrubs, and roots from dead plants from your property.
- Trim or thin plants that grow around your foundation.
- Guard against moisture. Eliminate plumbing leaks, water from air conditioner condensation, leaking gutters, and drainage in the crawl space under the house.
- Seal and repair cracks. Gaps or openings that lead into your house are entryways for termites and other pests.
The above preventative measures encourage you to keep wood and vegetation away from your foundation. Following the suggestions above creates an unfriendly habitat for termites and a pest-free environment for you and your family.
Subterranean Termites can be difficult to detect since they hide in wood and underground. Because of their hidden activity, have your house or building inspected yearly by a trained professional.
Your local All About Bugs TN Pest Technician can spot termite infestations. All About Bugs TN also can provide a treatment plan to protect your dwelling year-round.
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