Termites can be the worst thing that can happen to your home. If left alone, these diligent little bugs can cause thousands of dollars in damage to your property and can even cause floors and walls to collapse over time.
Generally, we think of termites as a threat to homes and businesses, but not to our personal health. But are there other problems termites cause besides property damage? And are termites in Waldorf harmful to humans?
About Termites
Termites are some of the most successful creatures on the planet. There are over forty known species of termites in the United States and hundreds more all over the world. They can be found munching on dead logs on the forest floor or in towering mounds on the dry savannah. Colonies can have millions of members with workers eating nonstop day and night.
Termites are social insects that live in large societies led by an egg-laying queen. There are several different types of termite present in a single colony including soldiers, workers, and winged reproductives that fly off to start new colonies when their home colony has reached maximum size. Termites vary in appearance from species to species, but most measure between 1/8 inch to 1 inch in length and have white or brown coloration.
It’s true that termites eat wood, but their diet can consist of other cellulose-rich materials as well. Drywall, mulch, and plant matter are all on the menu for hungry termites. These pests require humid, moist conditions to thrive. Some types of termites prefer living in wet rotting wood, while others build long mud tubes to contain moisture as they attach their colony to a man-made building.
Are Termites Harmful?
Termites are surprisingly clean pests that obsess over their personal hygiene. While even certain ants are known to contaminate food and surfaces around the home, termites aren’t known to spread disease and pose fewer health risks than many common home-invading insects. However, termites aren’t completely harmless.
Termites create a lot of microscopic waste as they chew up homes and businesses. These small particles of waste can accumulate over time and impact indoor air quality. Not only can the particles irritate eyes and skin, but they can actually inhibit respiratory function and cause asthma if individuals are exposed for long enough.
How To Prevent Termites
There are several signs of termite activity that you should be aware of. Termite infestations are sometimes hard to notice and any of these signs could point to an established termite colony on your property:
- Bubbling paint and wallpaper
- Maze-like patterns in wood
- Hollow-sounding wood
- Mud tubes running along the foundation
- The presence of winged termite swarmers
Seeing any of these signs means it's time to take steps to prevent a termite infestation from taking root. There are some simple adjustments you can make to reduce the population of termites on your property:
- Get rid of plant waste: Remove any rotting logs, decaying stumps, or fallen trees from your yard. Clean up and discard any leaf piles, lawn clippings, or other plant waste.
- Reduce moisture levels: Fix leaking pipes and spigots and ensure that gutters are draining properly to prevent moisture from accumulating around the property. Ventilate basement areas by opening the windows and consider installing a dehumidifier.
- Try some landscaping: Pull back any gardens, shrubs, or woody bushes away from the property. Switch to a cellulose-free mulch.
Termite prevention is important, but if you’ve got a serious termite infestation in Waldorf, you need professional help from Mike’s Pest and Termite Control. When you choose our termite control services, our expert technicians will perform a thorough inspection of your property and perform the course of treatment that’s right for you. Using our Advanced Termite Baiting System, we’ll eliminate your termites at the source and follow up until the job is done for good. Contact us today to request your free inspection.