What To Do About Termites On Your Las Vegas Property July 30, 2021

Termites are destructive pests. If left untreated, they can do a considerable amount of damage. How much damage they can do depends on what species of termite you have and how easy it is to detect warning signs. If you have subterranean termites feeding on the wood inside your property, they are far more destructive than drywood termites. Damage caused by subterranean termites in the United States costs billions of dollars each year. In contrast, the cost of drywood termite damage is in the hundreds of millions. This is because subterranean termites don't provide warning signs that are easy to see. If you have drywood termites feeding on your Las Vegas property, the amount of damage they can do is dependent on where the nest is located. Let's take a moment to look at these factors and discuss what you need to do to protect your Las Vegas home.

Subterranean Termites

There are three key warning signs that can help you detect subterranean termites in your Las Vegas property.

Shelter Tubes — These are above-ground tunnels made of mud. You may find them on your exterior foundation and hard surfaces. You may also find them on interior surfaces.

Workers — It is difficult to detect subterranean termite workers, but not impossible. One of the best ways to find them is to inspect your yard for wood that is sitting on the ground. Look under the wood or dig around it. If you see tiny, pale insects, you've found termite workers.

Swarmers — When a nest matures (which can take several years) you may see winged termites. These are called swarmers because they swarm together during the mating process. Swarms last for less than 30 minutes. If they emerge outside, they can be easily missed. If they emerge inside, they're hard to miss.

What To Do About Subterranean Termites

When termites are discovered under or inside wood on a property, they're often ignored because they seem like a small threat. You might be tempted to burn a piece of wood that has termites in it and call it a day. Or you may pour termiticide in an area where you suspect termites. The best solution is to use bait or liquid termiticides that have a transfer effect. We recommend having a licensed professional select and administer appropriate products.

Drywood Termites

There are three key warning signs that can help you detect drywood termites in your Las Vegas property.

Frass — These termites attack your property from the air and get in through small cracks. Once inside, the most obvious warning sign will be the appearance of frass. This material is pushed out of termite tunnels through tiny kickout holes and can be found collecting on window sills and floors. Sometimes frass can be pushed out into wall or floor voids. This makes detection difficult.  

Damage — If you begin to see damage to hardwood, such as window and door frames, it is possible that you have a drywood termite infestation, even if you don't see frass.

Swarmers — The appearance of winged swarmers in your home is a clear indication that you have a termite problem. Look for frass to determine whether or not you have drywood termites or subterranean termites.

What To Do About Drywood Termites

Some residents go after drywood termites with spray products because their appearance can be quite obvious, and applying a spray to kill them can also seem obvious. Unfortunately, sprays are topical. They don't get deep enough to get termites. The most effective products used to arrest drywood termites are injected into the voids where the termites are living.

Termite Control In Las Vegas

If you live in Vegas, reach out to Pest Control Solutions, Inc. for effective termite control. Our team uses EPA-approved products and advanced strategies to arrest termite infestations. In light of the damage these insects can do, this is definitely the best way to go.