Colonies of termites will compromise the integrity and stability of any structure in which they infest. Broken Arrow Termite Infestation services through Platinum Pest & Lawn will treat, eradicate, and protect your property from termite colonies. Our certified technicians are thorough during the process of inspecting, treating and preventing these subterranean pests from devouring your structure. There are several signs of their presence to watch out for. If you suspect termites have invaded your property, call us today for an inspection and estimate for treatment at 918-376-0857.
The first sign our technicians inspect for is Termite swarmers, also known as alates. They have temporary wings that will be lost soon after they land on objects, such as window sills, fixtures, and doors within a structure. These entry sites are typically where inspectors discover visible termite-activity. When they shed their wings, it is a strong indicator that they have found their prime location for starting a colony. A smaller Broken Arrow Termite Infestation can have around thirty-thousand offspring in a colony, while a larger one can reproduce and grow to have over one-million termites. These wood-carvers will emerge in the springtime to mate and search from prime locations to begin developing new colonies. Swarmers and their discarded wings are primary indicators to keep an eye out for.
Typically, termite swarmers are drawn to light and fly in large packs. They are often mistaken for flying ants, the distinct difference between the two insects are the discarded wings you may find. The discarded wings will be translucent in color and of equal length. Do not be alarmed about health risks with these pests, they often keep to themselves and don’t bite humans. However, the devastating damage caused by their eating does impact the integrity of your structure. Platinum Pest & Lawn technicians are certified and trained to detect, treat and prevent Broken Arrow Termite Infestation situations. Since these wood-eating invaders are prevalent in the United States, except for Alaska, it is not a matter of “if”, but “when”! Do yourself a favor and schedule your annual termites inspection with Platinum Pest & Lawn to take protective measures against these inevitable pests!
The second sign is a bit tricky to diagnose for a Broken Arrow Termite Infestation, physical evidence of their work includes mud tubes, frass, and bubbling paint. Since subterranean termites are the most destructive termite species, and the most common type of termite in the United States (excluding Alaska), take note of these damaging effects they have on structures. Mud tubes are termite highways, so they can “safely” commute between their colony and food sources, protecting themselves from the open air. Frass is termite poop, that is small and black, brown and gray colored due to their diet. Its oval, hexagonal shape is approximately 1mm in the size of a pellet, which can be found in piles near wooden structures, on floors, crawlspaces, basements, room corners, outside of kick-out holes, and mud tubes. Bubbling paint could be from termites or water damage, so contact Platinum Pest & Lawn at 918-376-0857 for a professional inspection to confirm the issue. Termites love moisture! They will humidify their surroundings, by alternating depths within their tunnels inside the wood. Which causes the moisture to travel throughout the wood and the effects are bubbling or peeling paint because nothing is currently holding it in place.
The third sign is the most significant, wood damage caused by subterranean termites from a Broken Arrow Termite Infestation. The wood is eaten from the inside-out, leaving it hollow and brittle. It might appear to be darker or blistered wood damage, and it might sound hollow if you tap on it. Their frass could also be seen near already-infested wood. If any wood damage is discovered, the repairs could involve adding additional wood to temporarily support the integrity during permanent repair efforts. Smaller termite colonies can eat up to one foot of a 2×4 piece of wood in generally half a year’s time. Each year, it is reported that there are over a half a million homes damaged by termites each and every year in the United States. The worker termites are immensely productive and eat wood for twenty-four hours a day!
Severe wood damage from a Broken Arrow Termite Infestation is also common if the wood is already thin and rotting. Other wood damage signs include buckling and warping wood, swollen floors and ceilings, maze-like designs, and mildew or moldy smells in your home. The extent of damage severity will vary, it is highly recommended to be determined by the professionals at Platinum Pest & Lawn. Not all termite damage is repairable and it is critical to verify the structural integrity of a property is not compromised, prior to closing the sale and completing a real estate transaction. Termite damage can be considered “too much”, so much so that a property may be deemed as unsafe to live in and may be subject to demolition. A few factors used by professionals to determine how much damage is considered too much include repair expenses, insurance coverage, hidden damage, and the seller’s willingness to pay for repairs and extermination measures. Termite damage is not covered by most insurance carriers, so if you’re buying a home that has been inspected and termite damage is discovered, you can negotiate the repairs with the seller before closing the transaction.
The average cost to repair termite damage varies based on the extent of damage caused, of course. Minimal damage could cost you around two-hundred fifty dollars and could exceed as much as ten-thousand dollars for extreme cases. It is not safe to assume that your new home will not get termites, it is not a matter of “if”, but “when”. In most cases, the damage discovered is only a minimal preview to a much bigger issue that will cost the property owners greatly. If you are a buyer that gets an ODAFF termite inspection, the seller may not be willing to allocate the appropriate expenses for pest and contractor costs to repair and mitigate the issue. It is recommended that the seller covers two to three times of those expenses for the long-term damage and issues that termites cause.
