Termite Awareness Week 2017

Termite Awareness Week 2017

Did you notice the warm winter we just had? You can bet termites did. That makes this year’s Termite Awareness Week (March 12-18, 2017) even more important for folks in our Eastern Tennessee service area. We’re expecting a busy year, but we hope most of that business will be “preventative” and not “reactive” services. Here are a few points regarding termites in Tennessee, that you should be aware of.

  • Subterranean termites are the most destructive termites found in the United States. Unfortunately, Tennessee has subterranean termites.

  • While a single termite doesn’t do a lot of damage, a colony with thousands of individual termites can do a lot of damage.

  • Subterranean termites aren’t called “silent destroyers” for no reason. They can feed on a structure for years, undetected. These termites were found in the West Wing of our White House, where security and surveillance are the highest priority. If they can hide from the White House staff, they can hide from you.

  • Subterranean termites have been found to avoid detection from a certified home inspector. These are folks that are trained professionals, but they do not have the tools or knowledge to adequately inspect a home for these subtle pests.

  • Subterranean termites feed inside wood. They don’t leave sawdust as a warning sign.

  • The first warning sign of termites is swarmer termites. These are winged reproductive termites that are produced by a mature nest for the purpose of establishing new nests. If you see swarmers on your exterior walls, it is highly possibly that those termites came from a nest on your property or, worse, inside your property.

  • You can prevent termite damage. You don’t have to wait until the wheel of fate determines that your home will be destroyed by termites. It is possible to stop termites before they cause all that damage. Modern termite control protocols are not only effective, they are 100% safe for your family, your pets, and the environment. They target termites and use worker termites as a weapon against their own queen. When the queen dies, the termite colony also dies.

If you don’t have termite protection for your Tennessee home or business, now is definitely the time to get it. This mild winter we just had is likely to cause termite infestations to rise dramatically. When you get termite service, it is like getting health insurance for your home. It is a risk management investment. You may never need it, but having it could save you from financial ruin. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, give us a call today.

Termite Awareness Week

Termite Awareness Week
Are you as excited about termites as we are here at Russell’s Pest Control?  Well, it’s that time of year again- Termite Awareness Week is quickly approaching!  You may be wondering why we are so excited about termites, aren’t termites bad news?  We agree termites are very bad news, which is why we so are excited to spread the word about these damaging pests to hopefully help to stop termite infestations before they have the chance to start for the residents of East Tennessee!
 
Termites are a year-round pest that, once inside of a home or other building, will silently and continuously create tunnels and feed on the structural wood found inside.  Termites, if not stopped, can cause a lot of structural damage to homes that can be very time consuming and costly to repair.  In fact, it has been estimated that termites are responsible for causing over 5 billion dollars’ worth of damages to properties annually- believe us when we say, these pests are no joke!
 
Spring is right around the corner which means that temperatures start to increase and termites will become even more active.  Spring is also the time of year when the winged reproductive members of termite colonies swarm from the colony, mate, and start a new colony of their own.  This is why spring is the perfect time of year for the National Pest Management Association to “celebrate” and bring about termite awareness!  The fifth annual Termite Awareness week will be held this year from March 13-19, the goal is to increase termite awareness, educate the public about termites, and of course provide helpful prevention tips!
 
Russell’s wants to jump start termite awareness week by providing you with our own tips to help you notice the signs of termites in your home.  By understanding the warning signs you can get help from a professional termite control expert sooner rather than later and hopefully limit the damages caused by these pests!  Signs of termite activity in and around your home include:

  • Noticing mud tubes running on the surface of the ground toward your home or on the foundation or exterior walls of your home.  These mud tubes are usually about the width of a pencil and are what the termites use to travel from their nest to their food source.

  • Finding piles of wings near doors or windows. The reproductive members will discard their wings after swarming from the colony.  This is a good indicator that there is a mature termite colony living in or near your home.

  • Soft wood located within your home that sounds “hollow” when you tap on it.

  • Painting on the walls of your home that is starting to appear splintered or blistered.

  • In the case of a large infestation, you may notice doorways or ceilings that are starting to appear warped. 

For more information about termites, the termite control services provided by Russell’s Pest Control, or for more information about termite awareness week 2016, contact Russell’s today!