How To Identify And Get Rid Of A Termite Infestation In Your Longview Home

termite crawling on wood
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Termites are social insects that form large nests (colonies) consisting of hundreds or thousands of members. The colonies are divided into categories or castes according to their roles. (i.e., soldiers, workers, queens, and more) Termites eat cellulose, a material that exists in wood, some paper products, and more. The most problematic home-invading termites in the Longview area are eastern subterranean termites.

Can I treat termites myself? Do-it-yourself (DIY) home termite products often prove ineffective. Seeking assistance from a professional is the best available solution. A trained Longview pest control professional understands how to remove termites from the property.

Clear Signs Of A Termite Infestation In Your Home

How can you tell if you have termites in Longview? Subterranean termites form mud tubes or tunnels that connect to their below-ground nests. These tubes often have a patterned appearance. During the spring, flying termite "swarmers" often congregate near their colonies.

When is termite season in Longview? Although termite colonies are often active all year, they typically emerge in the spring and remain throughout the summer.

Termites Can Undermine The Structural Integrity Of Your Home

The most potentially harmful property damage might occur when wood used for structural support is compromised. In extreme cases, termite damage could result in a dangerous collapse. Further, homeowners often notice that doors and windows become more difficult to open or close when internal structures are damaged.

Identify And Remove Factors That Attract Termites

Those seeking to limit the presence of termites on their property should understand what attracts termites. Among the conditions that make a property vulnerable to termite intrusions include the following

  • Wood that endures water damage appeals to termites; therefore, these areas should be promptly repaired or replaced.
  • Keep firewood stored away from the home and trim back bushes and other vegetation away from the home's exterior.
  • Subterranean termites prefer homes that allow easy access to wood from the soil below where they nest.
  • Promptly fill cracks and crevices that develop around the base of the structure that make it vulnerable to intrusion. 

Property owners in Longview that have success with preventing termites usually adopt a multi-faceted plan that involves regular property maintenance, limiting excessive water and moisture, and implementing exclusionary measures. 

You'll Need Professional Assistance To Get Rid Of Termites

How can you get rid of termites at your Longview home quickly? Many homeowners in Longview mistakenly try the various termite control products found in local stores. Unfortunately, the majority of these efforts prove unsuccessful and create increased frustration. Contacting a Longview termite control professional is the best solution.

Since our inception in 2010, Pest-Pro Services, Inc. has maintained a team of trained technicians that understand termite behavior and the best ways of safely and completely ousting infestations. We will visit the property and perform an exhaustive termite inspection of the premises for evidence of termite activity. This inspection allows for creating a truly customized solution based on the nature, scope, and extent of the problem.

We often use the Sentricon® System with Always Active, which uses baiting stations that are strategically positioned around the exterior landscape of the property. Termites are drawn toward the specially formulated bait, which is also spread among the others within their colony. This Sentricon® option serves as both a means of expelling existing infestations and preventing subsequent problems with termites.

Another product we often use is produced by Termidor®. Our technicians utilize an injector that places the product beneath the ground. The product is undetectable among termites, who soon transfer the formula among others in the colony. This product creates a "virtual" barrier of exterior protection against these unwanted pests.

Our capabilities extend well beyond termites and include bed bugs, ants, stinging insects, and many other undesirable and potentially harmful creatures that cause problems for homeowners in the greater Longview area. Contact our office today to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Longview.