Any homeowner will tell you, the word “termite” is one of the scariest terms you can ever hear; this pest can literally eat through your home and cause thousands of dollars of damage. In today’s blog post, we are going to discuss termites, how to identify them, and how the team at Earthwise Pest Management can help if you think you have a termite infestation in your Sacramento home. Reach out to us today to learn more.
What Do Termites Look Like?
Termites are small insects that range from white to brown in color. With over 2,000 species of termites world-wide, and 40 present in the United States, the appearance of termites can vary a bit from species to species. Termites of most species that you’ll find in the U.S. are between .25-inches and .50-inches in length. They have soft bodies and straight antennae. You may occasionally see a termite that reaches a full inch long, as the kings and queens of many species can grow a bit larger than the worker and swarming termites.
Do Termites Really Eat Wood?
Termites do in fact eat wood. They are attracted to the cellulose in wood, which can also be found in cardboard. In nature, termites are beneficial as they help with removing old, dead wood. Their digestion of the wood also helps to create nutrient-rich soil. However, no matter how helpful termites might be in nature, you do not want them eating the wood that provides the structural integrity of your home.
Do DIY Termite Solutions Work?
If you search for DIY solutions for termites, you are sure to find a lengthy list of suggestions on how to rid your home of termites. The problem with DIY solutions is that they are less effective, especially if you have a large, mature infestation. And when it comes to exterminating termites, you don’t want to take your chances. Every day that goes by, the termites in your walls are eating away at your home. Each termite can eat 2–3% of their body weight each day, and there have been some instances of colonies housing millions of termites.
At Earthwise Pest Management, we don’t recommend attempting to handle a termite infestation on your own. Our pest control specialists can assess the size and maturity of the colony as well as take actions to start removing them from your home immediately.
Our Integrated Pest Management Program at Earthwise Pest Management
At Earthwise Pest Management, we utilize a pest control program called Integrated Pest Management (IPM). This three-step process allows us to properly identify the species of termite in your home, how they entered your home, and create a plan of action on how we will eradicate them. IPM allows us to do all of this while minimizing our use of pesticides, which means our pest control services are safer for you and your family. It is also excellent in helping to prevent future pest problems.
Our Integrated Pest Management Program consists of the following steps:
Step 1: Detailed Inspection
In the first step, our team will complete a thorough and detailed inspection of your property. This will allow us to see how the termites entered your home and will enable us to create a viable plan of action to remove and prevent the pests.
Step 2: Pest Identification and Strategy
During the next step, we’ll identify exactly which species of termite is in your home, as well as the size and maturity of the nest. We use the information we discover in the first two steps to create a strategy to effectively remove the termites from your home.
Step 3: Implementation of the Treatment
During the final step, we implement the agreed-upon strategy. This is the step where we will exterminate the termites in your home. We will also help you understand why they chose your house in the first place so that you can prevent another infestation in the future.
After we complete all three steps of the IPM program, we always recommend a follow-up inspection and services. At Earthwise Pest Management, we are dedicated to ensuring that you continue to live a happy, pest-free life.
Reach Out to Our Sacramento Pest Control Company Today
If you think that you may have termites in your Sacramento-area home, it’s time to contact the termite control experts at Earthwise Pest Management. Reach out to us today and we’ll get you started with a free estimate.