All five destructive species of termites in Texas cause worry and damage to our buildings and homes. We worry about spotting them before the damage becomes too bad. They cause thousands of dollars’ worth of damage to our homes and businesses yearly.
Termite Damage
People buy insurance to protect our homes and buildings. However, did you know that most insurance policies don’t cover termite damage? In the United States, termite damage adds up to more than $5 billion per year. Individual building owners pay an average cost of more than $3,000.
Termite Species in Texas
Texoma Pest Management provides this list of the five destructive species in Texas:
- Eastern Subterranean Termites. These termites live in moist areas aboveground and underground. Their colonies contain about two million termites each. You find evidence of them by their mud tubes, constructed and used for travel. These termites affect an estimated 20% of home and businesses.
- Arid-land Subterranean Termites. The Arid-land subterranean termite favors dry, dessert-like conditions. They typically attack creosote and greasewood bushes and timbered structures.
- Formosa Subterranean Termites. We inadvertently imported the Formosa Subterranean Termites from China. They build huge nests containing millions of termites. They voraciously attack timbered buildings, including floating structures. Fear this termite because of the severe damage it causes in a very short period.
- Western Drywood Termites. As their name indicates, these termites attack dry wood. They live in relatively small colonies of ONLY about 2,000 termites. However, they cause significant damage when a number of colonies live in close proximity.
- Desert Dampwood Termites. Dampwood termites feed on wood with high moisture content. They cause significant damage to poles, posts, and shrubs because they typically attack wood the ground.
Preventing Termites
Kevin Brasket of Texoma Pest Management says you do stand a fighting chance. For the best way to prevent termite attacks on your home or building, follow these simple steps.
- Inspect around your home or building for signs of mud tubes and rotting wood.
- Keep gutters and downspouts working properly by diverting water away from your home or building’s foundation.
- To prevent opportunities for entry, keep fasciae, soffits, and rooves in good condition.
- Keep such areas as crawl spaces and basements well ventilated and dry.
- Limit soil to a minimum of one inch away from wood.
- Stack firewood away from your home or building. When you bring in firewood, check it first for signs or burn it immediately.
Call Texoma Pest Management
As a preventative measure, Kevin Brasket of Texoma Pest Management says, “Termites can go undetected for quite some time. Therefore, we encourage people to call a licensed professional at least once per year.” Call the best in Texas. Their AIM system takes the bite out of termites and other pests.
Contact Texoma Pest Management at 940-867-3509.