Here’s How Long it Takes Termites to Destroy Your Home
By Thorn Team • Apr 20th 2023
If you’ve recently noticed signs of termite activity around your home, don’t ignore it-the damage caused by wood-destroying pests can be severe and costly to repair.
So, how much time do termites need to create enough damage to become a major home repair project? That all depends on what termite species is present.
Signs of a Termite Infestation
There are three termite species in Utah:
- Western Subterranean Termite
- Dampwood termites
- Drywood termites
Dampwood and Drywood termites are a rare occurrence. The most common termite causing issues for homeowners in Utah is the Western Subterranean Termite, a termite capable of extensive damage to buildings and structures.
Western Subterranean termites thrive in damp environments and love to feast on wood, causing significant problems. Don’t underestimate these little guys just because they’re small!
When it comes to infestation, be on the lookout for the following signs:
- Piles of sawdust
- Mud tubes
- Swarmers (termites with wings)
- Soldiers (termites with reddish heads and large jaws)
- Workers (small, pale white termites that look similar to ants)
Understanding the habits and behavior of the Western Subterranean Termite is critical to preventing their spread and protecting your property. If you see signs of an active infestation, take action immediately before the damage becomes too costly to repair.
Termites vs. Ants
Termites and ants have similarities that make mixing them up easy. Wood-infesting ants include carpenter ants and moisture ants. They just want to nest in soft or moisture-damaged wood, whereas termites are there to eat it. Wood contains cellulose, which termites love.
A closer look at winged swarmers is an easy way to identify an ant vs. termite. Both ants and termites have two sets of wings, but an ant’s front set of wings is longer than the back ones, whereas termites have two sets of wings that are the same length.
Still not sure whether you’re seeing ants or termites? The pest specialists at Thorn can help you identify your pest problem and devise a plan to get rid of them and keep them away.
How Long Does it Take for Termites to Destroy Your Home?
It takes a termite colony years to reach house-destroying size. Prevention is always the best strategy if you’re concerned about a termite infestation in your home. Just be careful whom you get help from. Many companies are out to sell expensive termite treatments before they even perform an inspection!
Yearly termite inspections are one of the most effective ways of ensuring termites stay away from your home. Even better? Recurring pest control services. A good residential pest control program involves inspecting the property for any evidence of pest damage.
Professional Termite Removal and Remediation
If your home has a moisture issue, it’s at higher risk of a termite infestation. Make sure to look around occasionally for moist wood, including wood that touches dirt. Western Subterranean termites often start quietly in places like the crawlspace where soil and wood meet.
At Thorn, we specialize in identifying and eliminating termite infestations and implementing preventative measures to ensure they don’t come back. With our specialized knowledge and state-of-the-art methods, we will not only remove termites but protect your home from future attacks!
Don’t let termites do expensive damage to your house. Turn to the professionals at Thorn for effective, family-friendly termite removal and remediation.
About Thorn
Thorn is a Utah local pest management company. We are a QualityPro certified company which is a prestigious accreditation awarded too less than 3% of the pest management companies in the US.
Resources
About Thorn
Thorn is a Utah local pest management company. We are a QualityPro certified company which is a prestigious accreditation awarded too less than 3% of the pest management companies in the US.