How Dangerous Is It To Have Termites On My Maryland Property?

05/15/2021


Home Pest Control    Termites   
termite eating wood

Whether your home is located in the historic districts of Maryland, on a farm in the rolling hills of famous battlefields, or along the waters of the Chesapeake Bay, termites are looking for their next meal. Maryland invites people to wander around their gorgeous state. One “wanderer” that is not welcomed on a homeowner’s property is the termite.

What Everyone Ought To Know About Termites

Termites are “silent destroyers” who send out explorers (swarmers) into welcoming habitats all over the world. Subterranean termites are the most common termites in Maryland and tend to cause the most damage. They are social insects, living in colonies of up to several million individuals. The structure of a mature colony is complex, with one or more central "headquarters," which are normally found with a food source, such as a buried stump or log on the forest floor. The colony centers are connected to a variety of other food sources by a network of underground tunnels. 

Termite workers are typically 1/4 inch long, cream-colored, and eyeless. They eat wood and can move into a piece of timber in larger numbers. The queen may live for many years, and individual soldiers and workers may live one to two years. Winged adult termites will eventually leave the colony to form their own. A new colony takes several years (between 5-10) before it reaches a mature size of at least 60,000 termites.

Two Health and Property Concerns Termites Pose to Maryland Homeowners

Our health and home are paramount to happiness in our lives. Termites can pose problems to homeowners in both areas. While one area is less of a problem than the other, they both still cause concerns. 

The two concerns are as follows:

Health concerns: Termites are not known to transfer diseases, and they are not poisonous. They do shed, leave droppings, and drop their wings when they swarm which may cause allergic reactions. Termites do bite, and this may cause an allergic reaction in some people; therefore, it is wise to avoid handling agitated termites by trying to exterminate a colony on your own.

Structural concerns: Of all termite species, the subterranean termite causes the most damage; they eat 24-hours a day. Their saw-toothed jaws will eat wood and other products made of cellulose such as paper, cardboard, and fiberboard. They can destroy structural timbers, pallets, crates, furniture, and other wood products. Termite tunnels can penetrate lead and plastic-covered electric cable and cause electrical system failures. Unless they are stopped, they can cause critical damage to the structure of a building even to the point of total collapse.

Five Signs Of Termite Infestation

If you notice an active termite infestation, do not panic. For termites to cause structural damage, they have to be at work in your home for quite some time.

A homeowner should take notice of the following:

1. Dirt tunnels or "shelter tubes," typically about 1/4 inch wide but sometimes wider, on the foundation, along exposed wood, or dangling down from the ceiling

2. Soil packed in cracks and crevices

3. Signs of silvery piles (membranous insect wings on floors, window sills, or in spider webs)

4. Cracks that appear to be settling and/or sagging floors

5. Dark or blistered areas on wood paneling - blistered or peeling paint on wood (because of moisture under the paint from termite activity)

Protect Your Maryland Home With The Professionals At America Pest

Termites are no joke! A key element for removing pests is by finding out how they are gaining access to your home. American Pest has been dealing with nuisance pests in the Maryland area for decades. Let American Pest help you remove these “home-wreckers” from your property. Reach out to us today to learn more






 
 
 

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