We are truly lucky to live in a part of the country that has all four seasons, each one displaying itself in all of its glory. However, with this climate comes an abundance of pests that burst forth during the warm spring and summer months. This is especially true of termites, which have their very own season- March through June- making pest control in New Haven County a likely necessity.
The Life Cycle Of Termites
There are actually many different kinds of termites such as subterranean termites, Formosan termites, damp-wood termites, dry-wood, and cone-head termites. One of the most common termite species in the New Haven area is the Eastern subterranean termite, often referred to simply as the subterranean termite. The Eastern subterranean termite is the most widespread termite in North America. They prefer to live below ground, in moist soil where they build mud tubes to travel safely between their nests in the soil and their food source.
Termites of all species go through three distinct stages in their lifetimes: egg, nymph, and adult. On average, the termite queen will lay about 10,000 eggs per day! After one to two weeks, the eggs will hatch into small, white nymphs. Nymphs are young termites, constantly molting until they reach their adult form and assume their role within the colony. They will either become a worker, responsible for building and collecting food; a soldier, charged with protecting the colony; or a reproductive, a winged termite capable of producing offspring. Termites can live for several years within a well-fed colony.
The Extent Of Damage Termites Can Cause To Your Home
A termite problem in your home is more than an annoyance. Termites in the walls of your home can cause significant structural damage. As they chew through studs, joists, and beams, they weaken the wood that makes up the skeleton of your house. Evidence of termite damage can be found near baseboards where sawdust piles from their chewing. It may also show up as holes and tunnels in wooden decking and furniture, buckling floors, or warping walls. Furthermore, some termites, infest trees on the property and wooden rafters on roofs. This can pose a risk for falling trees and roof collapse.
Natural Ways To Make Your Home Less Attractive To Termites
The best way to deal with termites is to prevent them from being attracted to your home. Thankfully, there are a few natural ways New Haven homeowners can prevent a termite infestation in the first place, such as:
- Trim back vegetation from the house
- Avoid excess moisture in and around the home
- Keep firewood and lumber stored at least 20 feet from the house
- Seal any cracks in the home’s foundation
While these tips are not by any means exhaustive, they are a good place to start to keep termites away from your New Haven property.
The Most Effective Way To Protect Your Home From Termites
Prevention is great, but during an active infestation, the best way to deal with termites in your home is to contact a professional. An expert pest control team, like Rescue 1 Pest & Termite Control, can make short work of any pest problem, including termites. With us, New Haven pest control is easy. We offer efficient, quality service that is always customized to suit your needs. Give Rescue 1 Pest & Termite Control a call today to completely eliminate your termite problem.