A Rainy Summer Gives Termites a Head Start in Arizona August 8, 2013 - By: Nathan Woolf While recent rains in Phoenix and the surrounding areas are giving us a break from the heat, they’re bringing some unwanted visitors, as well.The monsoon weather pattern has started a bit early this year, and so is termite season. Termites love moisture, and moist soil conditions also provide ideal conditions for swarming termites to survive and establish new colonies.Subterranean termites typically swarm at night during the rainy season from July to September. Swarms are secondary communities within the primary colony that break out on their own to find a new habitat and foraging area – and for termites in Arizona, that often means unprotected homes. Wet soil also makes it easier for termites to access your home since the soil is not as hard.Termites only need the tiniest of spaces to begin making a home in your walls, roof, or structural timbers – they can fit through a gap only 1/32” wide! That’s why we recommend both prevention and treatment tactics to keep these destructive pests out of your home.Make sure you get an early start on termite prevention since this rainy season has given termites in Phoenix a head start. Here are some tips on termite-proofing your home this summer:Re-establish a termite barrier around your home. We recommend using a non-repellent product which will help destroy the termite colony.Ensure that you have proper grading around your home. Make sure that water is draining away from your home’s foundation.Fix any water leaks you might have around your property – including leaky outdoor faucets or leaky gutters that drip toward your home’s foundation.Clean up any plant debris, cardboard, and dead plants, bushes or trees around your property. Cellulose is the biggest food source for termites, so make sure there isn’t any readily available to a hungry colony.Eliminate “wood to ground” construction that gives termites easy access to their food source, such as patios or exposed wood beams in cement foundations. Keep wood piles far away from your home. Also, be on the lookout for signs of termites in your home during this early termite season. Signs include:Mud tubes poking out of the carpet or down from the ceiling. Termites construct these tubes over, around and through objects in order to reach food sources.Swarming (flying) termites: These look similar to winged ants, but have a thick waist and straight antennae.Wood in and around your home that has a honeycombed appearance: Subterranean termites tend to eat soft wood fiber and will leave the harder woodgrain behind.If you notice any of these signs (remember, you may see them earlier than expected this year in Arizona!) be sure to give Blue Sky Pest control a call – we will take care of your problems before a termite colony can cause you thousands of dollars’ worth of damage.
Winter Termite Tips February 21, 2013 - By: Nathan Woolf Are termites active in the winter in Phoenix AZ?The subterranean termite is very prevalent in Phoenix. Generally, cooler winter temperatures mean termites stay well below ground, but yes it’s possible that termites may still cause damage in the winter months. Termites can stay active and continue to do damage even in the winter here in Phoenix because of the relatively warm temperatures. Termite control and treatment is done year round in Phoenix. Here are some of the most visible signs that termites might be active around your home in the winter, as well as some suggestions for termite control in and around your home.Signs of Winter Termite Activity1. Mud TubesBecause termites prefer warmer temperatures, they are usually driven underground during winter months. However, if you have termites inside your home where temperatures are warmer, they may be active all winter long. Mud tubes are the main sign that subterranean termites, the termites most common in Arizona, are in or around your home. Mud tubes offer moisture to subterranean termites as they search for food. If you notice mud tubes along the foundation of your house or inside your home, such as inside cabinets, then you should call a reputable pest control company to treat your home for termites.2. Small Holes in WallsIf you begin to notice small holes in your wall, this is another sign of termite damage. Termites consume wood at a rapid pace, so it is possible that you will start to notice damage to your drywall if termites are present. Generally, however, termites prefer to eat the inside of hollow structures or walls, remaining hidden from view. Unfortunately, by the time most termite damage is visible, significant structural damage has already occurred. Because of the rate at which termites work, preventative termite treatments are the best way to ensure that your home is pest free and protected from termite damage.3. Piles of SawdustSimilar to small holes in your wall, piles of sawdust are another sign that you have a termite infestation in or around your home. These will begin to show up in your home after termites have already taken up residence, meaning that it’s possible that significant termite damage has already occurred by the time you notice these visible signs of termite presence in your home.4. Other Signs of Termite DamageThere a few more tell-tale signs of termite infestation to look for in your home. You might notice “ripples” in your wall, which can be a sign of an infestation. If you notice that your wood floors are starting to sag or buckle, or if you hear faint movement inside your walls, you should contact a pest control company for a termite inspection.Arizona Winter Termite PreventionDue to the fact that subterranean termites live underground and are rarely seen, by the time that termite damage begins to show up inside homes significant structural damage may already have occurred. Because termites are a prevalent pest in Arizona, it’s a good idea to make preventative termite control a part of your routine home maintenance. All new homes in Phoenix AZ are pretreated with a termite barrier. This barrier is guaranteed for up to five years, but sometimes that’s not enough. Regular service by a termite exterminator will help. A termite inspector will inspect your home for signs of termite damage and will simultaneously treat your home to prevent a termite infestation. Beyond having a professional termite inspection and preventative treatment applied, there are a few things you can do to help keep termites away from your home.Because termites travel along the ground looking for sources of food, any source of wood that is at ground level is an attraction for termites. For example, siding on homes that comes to ground level is an invitation for termites. Firewood that is stacked next to your home is also enticing to termites, so any firewood should be stored far from your home and off the ground. Similarly, wood mulch is an attractant for termites, providing them with moisture and shelter near your foundation.The most important thing you can do beyond preventative termite treatment is to be vigilant and keep an eye out for destructive termites before they become an issue. If you have any questions or concerns about termite treatment or signs of termite damage, give us a call.
Signs and Prevention of Termites in Arizona October 30, 2012 - By: Nathan Woolf How can you protect your home from termite infestation? Home Damage from TermitesTermites in Arizona are prevalent pests and some of the ones we’re called most frequently to control. We want you to know what signs you should look for, what can termites do to your home, and how can you protect your home from termite infestation.Related: What If I’m Still Seeing Bugs After Spraying?One of the biggest fears that many Arizona homeowners face is discovering a nest of termites around their homes. Let’s take a look at why termites are a problem for homeowners, the damage they can do to the home, and the steps you can take for termite control. Termites are small insects, but despite their small size, they eat wood at a very fast rate, making them dangerous to wooden structures. Furthermore, termites travel in colonies, meaning that termites can destroy the structural foundation of a home or other wooden structure very quickly. Houses, with their wooden structures, are very susceptible to termite damage. Even houses built of brick or stone are susceptible to termite damage because most homes have wooden components to their structure.Schedule Inspection Now One of the reasons that termites can cause so much damage is that they’re often not discovered until a significant amount of damage has been done to the structure of the house – in some cases, termite colonies have remained hidden for decades unbeknownst to homeowners. Homeowners should be aware of the top signs to look for in order to identify if they might have a termite infestation.Mud Tubes Mud tubes from termitesIn Arizona, the most common termite we have is the subterranean termite. These termites live in the soil and the main sign that these termites may be near your home is the presence of mud tubes along the foundation of your home. These mud tubes can also be found inside your home through small cracks in your foundation. For example, you might see mud tubes in the inside of a cabinet or near plumbing, or inside walls. The problem is that, even though these are signs you can look for, they are sometimes very well hidden and difficult to find.Other Signs of TermitesYou might start noticing very small holes in walls. This can be a sign of termite damage. You also might see small piles of sawdust in your home, another sign that your home may have an infestation.Before a large infestation, termites in Arizona can be treated through preventative measures. If you find signs it’s important to take steps to control the problem and to investigate for further damage. For more information, read our post on 5 signs of termite infestation.Annual Termite Inspections for Preventative ControlThe best way to protect your home against termites is with preventative annual termite inspections. During a termite inspection, we inspect the interior and exterior of your home to determine if you have existing termite damage or if termite colonies are present. If your home shows signs of termite damage, we can sit down with you to help determine the best program to help rid your home of termites.What to Know About Preventative Termite TreatmentsMany homeowners opt for preventative termite treatment, even if their homes show no signs of termite damage during an inspection. In fact, this is such a prevalent issue in Arizona that newly built homes must have a preventative treatment done before the foundation is laid. The problem with these treatments, however, is that the effectiveness can wear out as a new home is built, landscaped, and as things like pools are dug in backyards. As a result, opting for follow-up termite prevention measures can be a great solution for new homeowners looking to protect their home’s structure.When you’re concerned about termites in Arizona, the best thing you can do is schedule a termite inspection. You can also look for signs of subterranean termites including mud tubes and damage to walls and beams. With careful inspections, you can help protect your home’s structure by preventing, or catching and treating, termite infestations before they cause damage to your home. We serve all of Phoenix including Gilbert and Scottsdale.Editor’s note: This post was originally published in October of 2012 and has been revised and updated with new information in February 2017.
