Are Subterranean Termites Damaging My Bay Area Home?

This is a question you may have, whether you've found termites in your yard or you haven't. Termites are sneaky and subterranean termites are the sneakiest. So we're not going to just talk about how to find signs of termites in your yard, we're going to tell you what you can expect when you do.

We're also going to explain how termite pest control in the Bay Area works to arrest termite damage and guard your home against future damage. And, as always, if you're currently dealing with this issue and you want immediate assistance, reach out to us through our contact page. We're here to help.

Signs Of Subterranean Termites On Your Bay Area Property

There are a few ways you might find signs of termites in your yard. Subterranean termites are ground termites, so most of these will be found near the ground.

• The appearance of termite swarmers around your property will be an obvious sign if you're lucky enough to see them. Why do we say that you'll only see them if you're lucky? It is because swarms don't last for more than 30 minutes. Once the termites are done swarming, they disappear into the ground or into cracks and crevices.
• When you don't see termite swarmers around your property, you may still be able to detect that swarm. Termites drop their wings after they mate. You may find these wings on the ground or you may find them in spider webs.
• If you have wood-to-soil contact, you might be able to detect damage near the soil or just underneath. This damage may look like tiny trenches stacked on top of each other.
• If you have wood or cardboard on the ground, you may find subterranean termite workers underneath. A common occurrence is finding worker termites under dead branches in the yard. If you see tiny, ⅛" long, pale-colored insects on a piece of wood, take notice. You're looking at active termites in your yard.
• Subterranean termites create shelter tubes on surfaces above the ground. You may find these on your foundation. A shelter tube is likely to look like a little wiggly line of mud. The appearance of mud tubes is a clear sign of a termite problem, but it is possible that there are no active termites. If you break a small piece and check back in a few days, you can find out. If there is current termite activity, the broken spot will be repaired.

There are many other ways to detect termites and locate termite activity, but these ideas will get you started. If you find that you have a termite problem, the next step is to decide what to do.

Why It Is So Hard To Get Rid Of Subterranean Termites?

When considering what to do about termites, you need to understand that subterranean termites are hard to get rid of. There are a few reasons for this. If you've discovered termite activity or signs of termite damage, here are a few facts you should consider:

• Termite workers travel as far as the length of a football field to find food. The termites you've found in your yard could be from a colony that isn't on your property.
• When you find termite workers, there could be more than one colony sending workers into your yard.
• If you kill termites directly, you'll only be dealing with the tip of an iceberg. Topical treatments are not effective. The best way to get rid of termites is to target the colonies. This is done with liquid termiticide or bait.
• There are many ways termiticides and baits can fail. It is best to have a licensed pest management professional select and install these products.

If you find a single worker termite in your yard or signs of termite damage, it is best to contact a licensed pest professional. The source of those termites must be addressed if you want to protect your property.

How Do Subterranean Termites Get Into Homes?

Another factor to consider when deciding what to do about termites is how subterranean termites get into Bay Area homes. These insects find many sneaky ways to get inside, such as:

• They'll come in through wood that touches the soil.
• They'll create shelter tubes in shaded locations and behind objects.
• They'll create shelter tubes in crawlspaces.
• They'll create shelter tubes on the inside of concrete piers.

The sneaky ways subterranean termites get into homes make it difficult to tell when they start to damage your home, or if they continue to damage your home when DIY termite control fails.

Who To Call About Subterranean Termites

If you're dealing with subterranean termites, you can count on Bay Pest to help you find the right termite control solution. We use the most advanced and trusted termite control products and we install these according to the detailed instructions of the manufacturer. You'll always get the best pest control from Bay Pest. Reach out to us today for service.