When it comes to termites in AZ, there are a couple different species that can cause a lot of damage to homes in Phoenix and throughout the state. In fact, termites are regarded as the number one urban household pest in Arizona, causing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of damage to homes each year. Most Arizona homeowners, therefore, will experience a termite problem at some point over the course of owning their home. The most important piece of advice for anyone who finds termites in their home is not to panic. These tiny little pests can feed on your home’s timber for months or even years before causing any significant structural damage. Below is some important termite information to help homeowners protect their investments from the most common types of termites in Arizona.
There are two main species of termites in Arizona which are considered urban pests: Subterranean termites and Drywood termites. As the name suggests, Subterranean termites live underground and use the soil as a water source. This type of termite travels to your home via tubes made of dirt, mud and other debris. These mud tubes are easy to spot and are a sure sign of the presence of termites in your home. Unlike its Subterranean cousin, the Drywood termite actually lives in dry wood and timber within your house, not in colonies underground. Drywood termite infestations can be difficult to detect, as this species of termites doesn’t build mud shelter tubes leading up to your home. One way to tell if you have a Drywood termite infestation is to look for small piles of light-colored feces called “frass.”
Inspecting for termites in AZ can be extremely difficult to the untrained eye. Although a single colony can house tens of thousands of individual termites, this is a very secretive insect that avoids traveling in the open air. The best option for homeowners who are unsure if they have a termite problem is to call an exterminator to perform a professional inspection of their home. Call (877) 556-4131 today to learn more about treatment and control options for the most common types of termites in AZ from ACTION Termite Control.
