Common Myths About Termites South Bend Property Owners May Still Believe
Believe it or not, several myths about termites are rooted in some sort of logic. The things most people believe come from casual observations, however, these observations may only represent half-truths. For instance, most of us who have had termites damage your South Bend property could easily believe that termites only exist to destroy property. They are so good at destruction, it’s easy to believe they are made for it. However, the truth is termites are here for a reason. They act as a primary decomposer of fallen trees. They turn wood lignin into a byproduct, essentially termite droppings, that is easily consumed by secondary decomposers like fungi and bacteria. Let’s explore the rest of these popular myths and examine the reasons why they are so prevalent in our society.
Myth #1: Termites Are An Ant Species
Termites in South Bend are a type of white ant. This simply is not true. Termites are actually more closely related to cockroaches. So why is it that most people think they are a type of ant? Perhaps because there are several parallels: they have a queen like ants, they have colonies like ants, they set flight in the spring-like ants, and they live in a caste system with workers, soldiers, and young - just like ants. They also have similar mating habits to ants and exist in a caste system.
However, unlike ants, termites do not have stingers and most cannot survive in sunlight.
Myth #2: I Would Know If My Property Suffered From A Termite Infestation
Some people think that it is easy to tell if you have termites. This is a disastrous misconception. The reason this myth exists probably comes from a time when people had bear-earth basements and root cellars dug directly into the ground. Termites would have been easy to see back then. Today, termites do most of their damage behind sealed off walls and under the subflooring. You can’t see them. You can’t hear them. You can’t even tell they are there unless you hire a professional to do a thorough inspection. That is why professionals recommend annual inspections to ensure that termites do not become a problem.
The fact of the matter is, people who don't have regular inspections won't know they have termites until something else goes wrong that causes them to cut into the drywall. You might have a pipe break, and upon cutting into the wall, find your house is two termite chomps away from being condemned. It has been estimated that termites cause several billions of dollars in damage every year in the United States alone. Most of this damage is being done clandestinely. It is damage that can easily be avoided by calling in the experts to look for signs of an active termite infestation in your South Bend home.
Myth #3: Termites Eat Right Through Concrete
A lot of folks believe termites can eat through concrete. Termites can not eat through concrete, but again, this is something that, at least based on appearance, seems to happen from time to time. Termites are not able to chew through solid concrete but will find their way through a crack if one is available. If your foundation was poured incorrectly or poured on clay or unsettled soil, it is at risk of cracking. When foundations crack, termites will exploit the openings. So, often when cutting the infested subfloor away, it can appear for all intents and purposes, that termites chewed through the foundation.
Myth #4: Termites won't Come Back
Some people believe that a single treatment lasts a lifetime. There’s no termite myth further from the truth. Not only can they invade again if you have not fixed their first point of egress, but they are also likely to infest your property again as soon as the first treatment dissipates. Having our experts do regular inspections every spring is meant to protect your investment. Stopping termite infestation before the damage is done is the right way to go. The professionals at Termishield Termite & Pest are always friendly and here to answer any questions you may have. We can walk you through all the misinformation going around about termites and put you on the right track.
Fact: Termishield Is Your Best Bet For Lasting And Persistent Termite Avoidance
In the end, it's best to call in the professionals. Our experts at Termishiled will give you the much-deserved peace of mind in knowing that your termite problem is under control. We will also implement measures necessary to prevent termites from infiltrating your South Bend home in the first place. Protect your assets by reaching out to the experts at Termishield today.
Tags: termites | termite control | home pest protection |
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