Termite Awareness Week is an annual event created by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) and typically scheduled during the month of March. The purpose is to raise awareness about the damage that termites can cause to homes and other structures as well as to educate homeowners on how to prevent and control termite infestations.
Eastern subterranean termites are a type of insect that feed on wood and other cellulose-based materials both outside in their natural environment and unfortunately inside homes, businesses, and other structures.
Unfortunately, termites are not a benign pest. In fact, termites can cause significant damage to homes and other buildings that result in billions of dollars in property damage each year in the United States. Here in New Jersey, these pests are active across the state and since we are situated in Termite Infestation Probability (TIP) Zone #2, the potential for moderate to heavy termite infestation and damage is significant.
Here are some signs to look for if you suspect you may have an infestation of eastern subterranean termites:
Mud tubes
These are small, mud-colored tubes that termites use to travel between their nest and the wood they are feeding on. They are often found along the foundation of the home or on exterior walls.
Swarmers
Winged swarmers, the reproductive members of a Eastern subterranean termite colony, will leave an existing termite colony each spring in order to start new ones. These termite swarmers look like flying ants and can often be found around windows or light sources.
Wood damage
Termites feed on wood from the inside out, so the damage may not be immediately visible. However, if you tap on wood and it sounds hollow or feels soft, it may be a sign of termite damage. Sagging floors and ceilings are also indications of termite damaged wood as are windows that don’t open easily and peeling or bubbling paint.
If you notice any of these signs of termites or even live termites in your home or in the soil around it, it's important to contact a pest control professional to conduct a thorough termite inspection.
During Termite Awareness Week, homeowners are encouraged to learn more about these wood-destroying insects including what steps they can take to prevent infestations from occurring in the first place. If your home is currently free of termites, we recommend implementing the following termite prevention tips to reduce the chances of it becoming infested down the road:
Whether you’ve found evidence of termites in your home or you simply want to ensure they don’t have the opportunity to infest and damage your house, Arrow Pest Control can help. Offering effective liquid termite treatments in Paramus, Franklin Lakes, and Closter as well as throughout our multi-county service area, these wood-destroying insects don’t stand a chance when Arrow is on the job.
Using America’s #1 termite defense product, Termidor®, Arrow creates a barrier of protection around the entire perimeter of a structure that termites cannot avoid. When they come in contact with the product, they will not be killed immediately. Instead, they carry the active ingredient back to the rest of the colony on their bodies. Once exposed, the entire termite population is eliminated -even the queen. If she’s not around to reproduce, there’s no chance of that colony re-establishing.
For even greater protection against termites, carpenter ants, and other house-infesting pests common to New Jersey, our locally owned and family-operated pest control company offers the Arrow Premier, a year-round home pest control plan. Check out the plans features below or give us a call for more information about termites or to schedule a termite evaluation.
If you’re looking for a program that protects your home and family from common household pests PLUS termites and other wood-destroying insects, we recommend Arrow Premier. With this program, you get quarterly pest control and a wood-destroying insect program in one package!
Pests targeted with Arrow’s Premier includes cockroaches, silverfish, spiders, earwigs, clover mites, millipedes, centipedes, crickets, ground beetles, boxelder bugs, ants (including carpenter ants, pharaoh ants and acrobatic), fleas (inside only), pillbugs, sow bugs, fruit flies, stored product pests, bees, wasps, hornets, carpenter bees (no higher than 10ft), mice, and rodents PLUS termites