How Can I Tell If My Louisville Home Has A Termite Problem?
Lying at the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains is the town of Louisville. This community is considered a suburb of Knoxville and offers a respite from big-city living by providing people with a suburban/rural vibe. Don’t let the laid-back atmosphere fool you. Louisville is a thriving community that is multiplying. Another flourishing community around Louisville is the local termite population. Without pest control in Louisville, these community-minded insects may establish a large colony inside local homes.
What Do Termites Look Like?
One of the most common termite species in the Louisville area is the subterranean termite. Unfortunately for Louisville residents, out of all the different kinds of termites to have in your home, the subterranean is incredibly destructive. Workers in a subterranean colony are the most numerous. Their small creamy bodies (1/4 inch or smaller) are typically oval, narrow, and long. They have small jaws, antennae, and six legs.
Alates (1/4 to 1/2 inch) are the winged version of reproductive termites with dark brown/black bodies and transparent milky wings. The most prominent member of the reproductives is the queen (up to 1 inch); kings are a bit smaller. They both resemble workers, except they’re a bit paler. (Over time, they can get darker.) The last member of a termite colony is the soldiers who look similar to workers. Their bodies are broader and flatter; their dark brown heads are rectangular and support a massive jaw. Termite identification can get challenging, but the pest professionals at Urbanex can quickly identify termite infestations and provide solutions for their removal.
How Much Damage Can Termites Cause In My Home?
When considering the size of termites, one would think that the damages they cause would be minimal. While termites in your home might be taking small bites, the sheer numbers in colonies and a 24x7 work ethic can produce significant damage over time. Small colonies number around 60,000 workers and can consume 1/5 ounce of wood daily; they can eat the equivalent of a 2x4 board annually. If your home has a large colony, populations can grow as large as two million members causing the wood consumption rate to increase dramatically.
Over time, termite damage can cause wood to weaken, hollow, and crumble; floors can sag and even begin to slope. Termites can affect wood fixtures by causing them to blister or darken. Termite damage can also cause wallpaper and paint to bubble or sink. Untreated termite infestations cost Americans over five billion dollars in damages a year, so it’s not something you want to take lightly since repairs rarely get covered by insurance. Urbanex is a pest control company near you that offers termite control services in Louisville that can help protect your property and your pocketbook.
Why Do I Have Termites In My Home?
Subterranean termites love anything made of cellulose (plant-based materials like wood); they also require moisture so they don’t dry out. If foraging termites find a healthy supply of these supplies in and around your home, it could spell trouble.
Five conditions that may draw active termites to your home include:
- Water buildup lying around foundations
- Leaky plumbing fixtures/pipes inside and outside
- High humidity levels in crawlspaces
- Wood portions of your home that make contact with the soil
- Buried scraps of wood in yards
Termite removal is challenging once termites are firmly established within your home. With assistance from Urbanex, homeowners can rest assured that we have practical solutions for termite prevention and can supply termite treatments that will safely remove termites from your Louisville home.
What’s The Best Way To Get Rid Of Termites In My House?
Termite treatments require a professional touch to ensure complete removal. At Urbanex, we are confident that we are the best termite control company for your Louisville home. With 25 years of combined experience in the pest industry, our veteran-owned and operated company is more than equipped to handle your toughest termite and pest concerns. Not only do we treat termites, but our services help prevent them from coming back. Don’t delay; call Urbanex today for a free inspection and estimate and to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Louisville.
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