Termite Identification & Prevention

Keeping termites away from your Austin home can feel like an enormous task, especially when you realize you have to protect it against subterranean and drywood termites at the same time.

Frequently Asked Questions About Termites

What are termites?

Termites are social insects that live in colonies very similar to ant societies. Termites have a single queen that does all the breeding for the entire colony, and the rest of the colony takes care of her if they're not preparing to become reproductive individuals themselves.

Though there are many species of termites, there are two basic types; subterranean and drywood. Subterranean termites need contact with the soil to draw moisture, while drywood termites can exist entirely in wood without bringing in moisture from the outside. Reach out to us for pest control services in Austin!

Are termites dangerous?

With regard to threatening your health, termites are not dangerous. They don't spread diseases and can't bite or sting. Regarding the threat to your property, termites are some of the most dangerous pests around.

The problem with all species of termites is that they eat wood, and drywood termites carve through it to make their nests, eating it as they go. As you can imagine, this behavior can weaken the structural integrity of wood even to the point of collapse if allowed to continue long enough. You can see why termites cause the same amount of damage in terms of costs as many natural disasters. They cost Americans billions of dollars a year in repair expenses.

Why do I have a termite problem?

A termite problem can develop anytime a termite colony decides that your home is a good place to set up shop. However, many seemingly innocuous things can make you much more likely to wind up with a termite problem. One of the biggest ways to wind up with termites is through wood-to-ground contact.

When branches touch your house, you have firewood piled up against your siding, or rotten wood components of your home touch the ground, this is like rolling out a welcome mat for termites. Both drywood and subterranean termites will use wood-to-ground contact as an avenue to enter your home and invade its wooden support structure.

Another major termite attractant is moisture, especially true of subterranean termites because they cannot exist without it. If you have moisture problems like condensation or water-damaged wood inside your house, this is a major conducive condition that can lead to the development of termites.

Where will I find termites? 

If you have active termites, you can find them almost anywhere in your house with wood. Most homes in the United States feature wooden support structures. They have wooden support beams, wooden floor joists, and wooden wall studs, all keeping the home standing. You can find termites setting up shop in any of these structural components. You may also find termites in other areas, like exterior decking or stair railing.

How do I get rid of termites?

Termite control is best left to the pros, especially if you already have a termite infestation. Once you develop a termite problem, it's almost impossible to eliminate it on your own because all of the products available to non-professional homeowners are ineffective, and some are potentially dangerous. Professional termite control experts like the ones you'll find here at Aries Pest Control have the tools and techniques to help you eliminate an entire termite infestation instead of simply reducing your termite load temporarily.

Not only can the experts here at Aries Pest Control help you get rid of an existing termite problem, but an annual termite inspection from us can also help with early termite identification. Identifying termite problems early on is vital to preventing their spread and minimizing damage. The later you identify an infestation, the more difficult and expensive getting rid of it will be. Here at Aries Pest Control, our experts can ensure you catch termite problems early so that you can nip them in the bud.