How Hard Is It to Get Rid of Termites?
Are Termites Hard to Get Rid Of?
We often get asked, ‘Can you get rid of termites?’ or ‘How can I get rid of termites?’ It’s important to understand that getting rid of termites is very hard for the average DIY homeowner. We’re going to talk about why in just a minute, but first…
Is Termite Damage a Big Deal?
Everyone worries about their home having termites, but can termites really cause that much damage? The truth is that termites damage hundreds of thousands of homes in the United States yearly, costing residents billions of dollars in termite control and related repairs!
According to the USDA Forest Service, these numbers may or may not include the cost of both treatments and repairs. Unfortunately, most insurance policies will not cover termite infestations or repairs. When you consider not only the damage but the loss of property value and the vulnerability it can put your house in, the problems termites cause really add up!
Termites are so widespread that they are found in every part of the country.
If you’ve ever experienced a termite infestation in your home, you know how difficult it can be to get rid of them. Don’t worry, though; Fox Pest Control is well-equipped to take care of your termite infestation. We know how to get rid of termites and protect your home from any new infestations. Read on to learn more!
Why Is It So Hard to Get Rid of Termites?
Termites are such a challenge to get rid of that it almost seems like they have superpowers. As it turns out, they actually do! Understanding termites’ behavior helps us better understand why they are such a major pest. There are several reasons why it can be nearly impossible for a homeowner to take care of termites on their own.
Because termites can cause incredible damage to your home, hiring a professional termite exterminator is the best way to get rid of termites effectively. Fox Pest Control uses the Sentricon System with Always Active Technology to build a barrier around your home to keep it safe. This system is part of our Termite Defense Plan and will kill any termites pestering your home and keep them from returning, protecting your home year-round. Let’s talk about three of the biggest reasons it’s so darn hard to get rid of termites.
1. Termites are Tough to Spot
First, termites are very hard to find for the average homeowner. They don’t like to be out in the open, so you’ll rarely see them. Termites eat wood from the inside out and spend their lives safe in the colony’s tunnels. You can almost think of it as agoraphobia for termites (fear of leaving the house), but it is necessary for their survival.
Termites Hide to Survive
Termites are so stealthy that a colony can thrive inside the walls of a home for 8-10 years undetected. That gives the little guys plenty of time to chow down on everything, from the wood inside the walls to furniture, books, and even wallpaper, without blowing their cover. At Fox Pest Control, we have the expertise and training to inspect your property for signs of invaders. We know what to look for, so you don’t have to!
Termites Are Completely Blind
Living life isolated from the outside world may seem extreme, but workers, soldiers, and young termites (or nymphs) live in total darkness anyway. Only adult kings and queens have functional eyes, while workers and soldiers don’t have any eyes at all.
Their blindness makes them shy, careful, and highly dependent on their sense of touch to explore and communicate with each other. Termites are able to use their sensitive antennae to find their next woody treat.
2. Termite Colonies Are Huge!
Another reason it’s hard for homeowners to eliminate termites is that they reproduce so quickly. A colony grows constantly due to the queen’s ability to lay several thousand eggs a day!
There can be hundreds of thousands or even millions of termites in a mature nest!
As a colony grows, it expands its territory. The most mature colonies will produce more than one queen to help with egg-laying duties. Sometimes, to expand territory, additional queens can even be sent far away from the original colony to start a satellite nest.
As you understand termites’ reproductive cycle, it becomes clear why they are difficult to eradicate from your house. But there’s another reason why getting rid of termites is so hard.
3. Termites Have a Superpower
The third reason termites are one of the most difficult household pests to eliminate is that they can literally regenerate themselves.
Let me explain. In many ant and bee species, the entire nest will die if the queen is killed because new eggs are not produced.
A termite colony can survive without the queen, which is fortunate for the colony (but not for the homeowner).
Of course, ants and bees have other ways to get the colony going again if the queen dies, but only termites have this powerful ability. So how does it work?
King and Queen termites produce special chemicals that keep the soldiers and workers from growing and reproducing. When a queen dies, her chemicals don’t hold the workers back anymore, and one of them can grow into a fully reproductive queen to take her place!
Isn’t that crazy? How can you get rid of termites when that is what you’re up against?!
You can see why having regenerative superpowers answers the question, “How hard is it to get rid of termites?”
For the average DIY homeowner, getting rid of termites is hard – like really, really hard.
If even one reproductive worker survives an attack from predators or professional termite treatments, that worker could grow into a new queen and start building up the colony all over again.
This superpower is why professionals at Fox Pest Control return to inspect your home once a year, even after a thorough termite treatment. Our Termite Defense Plan with the Sentricon System will protect your home from new termite colonies as long as it is in place.
How Fox Takes Care of Termites
Because of these three factors, it’s not likely you’ll be able to get rid of termites on your own. Attempting termite extermination by yourself can be stressful and a waste of time and money.
That’s why the most efficient way to get rid of termites is to call the professionals at Fox Pest Control. We have the right tools to inspect for and treat termite infestations and defend against new colonies. Our Termite Defense Plan uses the Sentricon System with Always Active Technology – a patented system that builds a barrier around your home with bait traps in the ground. Once termites get a taste of the bait, they like it so much that they have to share it with the rest of their colony. Sentricon eliminates the entire colony, protecting your property from termites and defending it from future attacks.
Call Fox Pest Control today, and you’ll never have to ask yourself again, “How hard is it to get rid of termites?”
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