Subterranean termites are prevalent throughout North America, and you’ll they’re especially difficult to control here in Southern California. These pesky critters infiltrate our homes through any crack or crevice in the foundation of a home. Once several termites have infiltrated your home, they will begin to build a colony. A queen will be selected, and it will provide offspring, including a mass of worker termites. These termites will sustain the colony by gathering food and building tunnel structures. These tunnel structures are often the first indication of a subterranean termite infiltration.
Home Structure
Subterranean termites build mud tunnels to house their workers. These tunnels can travel for yards, and their thickness can vary from the width of a pencil to several inches wide. The tunnel structure of the subterranean termite is useful for a variety of reasons. First, it protects the termites from possible predators. Second, it provides a water source for the termites, since moisture naturally forms on the interior walls. Third, it guides termites to their food sources.
Subterranean termite tunnels can appear in your basement, they can traverse through plumbing, and they can permeate walls. It’s important to exterminate these pests as soon as their sighted, otherwise, they can cause damage to your home.
Climate
Like other termite species, the subterranean termite thrives in warmer climates. Warmer climates are ideal for reproduction and productivity. Heat also builds up moisture within the mud tunnel of the subterranean termite.
Food Source
Western subterranean termites — a termite species found on the west coast of the United States — consume timber and other forms of cellulose as their food source. Subterranean worker termites will seek out food source, tear it apart, and bring food back to other inhabitants of their nest.
Treating Subterranean Termites
Subterranean termites are rather resilient. If you note that these termites have infiltrated your home, it’s in your best interest to seek professional exterminators. Attempting an extermination that is unsuccessful will only agitate the termites, and they may divide into multiple colonies or they may move to a new area of your home. Do not shake their mud tunnels or damage them until the termites have been exterminated, and you can be certain that they will not return.
Why Choose Hi-Tech Termite Control?
When you find termites in your home, you’re dealing with a major problem. Termites devour home material, and once they’ve permeated your walls, they can cause further damage. Gone undetected or unattended, termites can completely destroy a home by consuming load-bearing support structure throughout the house. That’s why termite treatment is so important. We provide a variety of termite treatment options here at Hi-Tech Termite Control of Southern California, including our non-invasive microwave treatments. With this innovative new alternative treatment, we can treat termites at the source. You won’t have to move your family out of the home for days on end for a fumigation. You can learn more about our microwave termite treatments! If your home has fallen victim to a termite infestation, don’t hesitate to give us a call! We’re here to help you to reclaim your home as your castle!