If you’re experiencing issues with termites on your property in Bartlesville, OK, chances are the type of termite you’re dealing with is the eastern subterranean termite, which is far and away the most common variety of the insect in North America.
These termites are known to feed on cellulose material, such as wood, paper, cotton, books, cardboard and other such materials. Colonies of these termites can range from 20,000 to up to 5 million workers, with the queen laying 5,000 to 10,000 eggs per day.
Here’s an overview of what you should know about these most common termites in Bartlesville, OK and how you can deal with the problem.
Signs you have termites
You might never actually see the termites, as they tend to stay hidden. This makes it important to know how to find and identify the signs of termites and termite damage so you can take appropriate action. Some of the most common signs you have termites include:
- Blisters in hardwood floors: Have you started to notice blisters or fracturing in your hardwood floors? Subterranean termites often cause damage to the subfloor, which can result in the wood flooring above almost looking like it’s been water damaged. These blisters usually occur as a result of walking on top of floors that are sitting on a weak subfloor.
- Swarm evidence: Again, you might never actually see a live termite, even if there is a massive colony or infestation in or around your home. But you could still see some irrefutable evidence of swarms, including dropped wings. When termites land, they twist off their wings because they do not need them once they’ve found a place to colonize. If you’ve found termite wings, that means there’s a colony nearby.
- Droppings: Another common sign of termite presence is droppings. Termites nest inside of wood, and while they’re eating away the wood, they create holes through which they can shoot out their droppings. Their excrement is wood, as this is what they eat. You might see a mound of pellets sitting around an area where termites have been chewing through wood. It could look like sawdust or coffee grounds.
- Mud tubes: Mud tubes the size of pencils (or smaller) might be found right where the ground meets your home’s foundation, or next to food sources like sheds or trees. Subterranean termites nest underground, as their name suggests, before they forage up to their food sources, which could include the structure of your home. This means if you see small tunnels in the mud, this could be a sign of termite activity.
- Hollow or otherwise damaged wood: Over time, termite activity will weaken the wood, resulting in structural damage and a potential hollow sound. If you knock on a piece of wood and it sounds hollow, that could indicate termite damage. In addition, if a wooden surface appears thin or papery, it could be because termites ate through the wood underneath.
Whenever you notice any of these signs of subterranean termites or other common termites in America, be sure to contact a pest control service in Bartlesville, OK like Excellence Pest Control. We look forward to assisting you!