Are the Termites In Memphis Dangerous?

11/30/2021

You want to protect your home - everyone does. One of the most common forms of home pest protection you've probably heard about is in regard to termites. They wreak havoc on any structure they infest and are not to be messed with. It’s essential to understand the dangers they present to your Memphis home.

What Is A Termite?

Dangerous, silent, and annoying are great descriptions when discussing what a termite “is.” They are ant-sized creatures that exist in a caste system comprised of workers, soldiers, and reproductives. You typically won't see termites, but you will notice signs of your presence if they invade your home. There are thousands of termites, but the type most familiar to North America is the Native Subterranean Termite. Swarms of termites are stubborn and tend to set up a permanent shop. Below are a few key points important to know about the life of a termite.

• Reproduction begins when termites form an established colony and mate. 
• A queen lays eggs, which then go through several stages of molting to become established larvae. 
• Termites are either workers, soldiers, or reproductive termites.
• Typically, termites can live up to two years. Queen termites can live as long as ten years. 

Termites establish their colonies in wood objects, and they prefer damp or damaged wood. This includes your home, a tree, or within wooden furniture. They can cause extensive and expensive damage to your home, as well as cost you a fortune in repair. It’s important to note that generally, once you have discovered a swarm of termites in your home, it’s likely that they have been taking up residence for as long as three years. Termites are hazardous to your property and the internal structure of your home. Still, there are questions you probably have about safety issues with termites in your Memphis home. You might ask, “Is it bad to live in a house with termites,” or, “are termites harmful to my health?”

Safety Concerns Regarding Termites In Your Memphis Home

When it comes to your health, there is some good news when it comes to a termite infestation. You can rest easy that, currently, termites are not known to transmit harmful diseases. However, their presence and activity can trigger allergies. The moisture associated with a termite problem will likely exacerbate the family member who suffers day in and day out with allergies.

In terms of your actual home, they pose a severe safety issue. Essentially, termites will eat away at the frame of your home and anything that is made out of wood. They can eat up your flooring, doors, frames, and interior framings. They can disrupt the structural integrity of your home if left untreated for years at a time. These pests are no joke. While they may not pose an immediate health threat, the damage they do over a long time can cause severe consequences for your property. 

Signs Of A Termite Infestation In Your Memphis Home

We want you to be informed about what could be showing up in your home to warn of a termite problem. Use the list below to help determine whether or not your Memphis home might be in danger of termite damage.

• Check exposed wood to see if it has been hollowed out or has an active swarm of termites eating away. 
• Your drywall might be an odd color or look like it is drooping. 
• If you look closely, you may notice scattered pin-sized holes in the walls of your home. 
• If you have an established termite infestation, you may be able to hear clicking sounds within your walls. 
• Termites cannot expose themselves to light. Thus, they build mud tubes to travel from their colony to their food source. You may notice them in your cellar or along the foundation of your home. 

If any of these signs of a termite problem show up in your Memphis home, you likely have a severe problem. If you see termites swarm or notice discarded wings on windows sills or near doorways, you know you have an established colony nearby. You likely won't see swarming termites, but if you do, check to make sure you have termites rather than ants. Check the wings and antennas to make the comparison. As mentioned, termite wings are equal in length, and their antennas are straight. Also, termites usually are yellowish, while ants are generally black or red.

Call Dart Pest, Lawn & Wildlife to Rescue Your Termite Infested Home

If you suspect you have a termite, the best thing to do is call the experts at Dart Pest, Lawn & Wildlife. We offer preventative termite care and extermination for residential and commercial properties by safeguarding your home with chemical treatments that will give you peace of mind. We also provide wood-destroying organism (WDO) reports if you're looking to sell or buy a piece of property. In the end, we will do everything we can to serve you and help prevent or eliminate a termite infestation before it gets out of hand. Let us protect your Memphis home from the dangers of termites.

Tags: termite control | termite prevention | getting rid of termites