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To The Termites In St. Charles, Your House Looks Like A Snack!


July 10, 2022

Termites are a major pest problem for St. Charles residents. The tiny whitish insects are highly social critters, with colony populations ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of members. The bugs feed on wood products within your property from the inside out, causing extensive and expensive damage. The sooner you take action through preventative pest control in St. Charles, the better it’ll be for your home. 

termites eating wood in home

What Does A Termite Infestation Look Like?

Termites are silent, invasive pests that can grow huge colonies below your home’s foundation without you ever knowing. You need to have a keen eye to notice subtle evidence of termite damage within your St. Charles home. Here are early warning signs of termites:

  • Mud runners near your foundation and on your walls
  • Swarmer alates emerging from your foundation
  • Disposed wings near doors and window sills
  • Hollow sounds from previously solid wood products when you tap them
  • Sawdust-like frass
  • Buckling paint or wood scrapes on your home’s exterior 

If you notice these signs of termite activity, call a professional termite specialist near you immediately. Experts can assist in termite identification and suggest effective treatment options for your St.Charles home. 

Why It Is So Hard To Get Rid Of Termites On Your Property

Termites are one of the most difficult pests to eliminate in any home. Here are three of the reasons why:

  • Termites Hide Effectively

A termite problem can remain hidden for extended periods without displaying any signs of infestation or damage. The destructive pests gradually feed on cellulose on wooden panels from the inside. You may only come to learn of the termite infestation in your home when it’s too late.

  • Termite Colonies Are Huge

Termites can form large colonies that make it expensive to exterminate them effectively. A typical subterranean termite colony has between a hundred thousand and a million members. With all these critters working together, the damage rendered to your home can be far-reaching.

  • Reproductive Alates Can Restart Colonies

Unlike other social insects, termite colonies will not fall apart if the queen dies. The king and queen release a chemical signal that prevents reproductive workers from maturing and breeding. Upon their death, a reproductive alate can continue with the maturation process and ensure the continuation of the colony. If your termite treatments are not 100% effective, any surviving worker can restart the infestation. 

What Attracts Termites To Homes?

Like every other creature on earth, termites are looking for food, water, and shelter. Termites feed on cellulose. They will eat any type of wood present in your home, including furniture and paper. Items with low cellulose contents, such as paperboard, can serve as food when other sources become scarce. 

There are several sources of moisture that attract termites to your home. Your basement may leak from the plumbing or cracks in the foundation, luring termites into your property. Wooden frames that soak in moisture during rainstorms or snow melts can also attract termites. 

Ways To Prevent Future Termite Infestations In St. Charles

The most effective way to manage termite damage on your property is to prevent the destructive bugs from setting home in the first place. Here are several ways St. Charles homeowners can reduce the risk of a termite infestation:

  • Eliminate direct wood contact with your foundation
  • Minimize moisture levels in your crawl spaces
  • Avoid storing furniture or wood products near your foundation 
  • Repair water leaks within your home
  • Consider treating your home using an insecticide to create a barrier

Preventative solutions can prevent extensive damage to your structure, keeping you and your family safe. At Pest Control Consultants, our pest control experts can carry out comprehensive inspections before recommending effective termite removal products for your St. Charles home. Call us today to discuss your termite problem and possible solutions. 

Tags: termite prevention | termite control | st charles pest control |