Why Termites Are Still A Threat In Richmond VA
Termites are wood-destroying insects that have been nicknamed silent destroyers. They live in underground colonies and make their way into homes and other structures, crawling through mud tubes that help them avoid detection. Since it is easy for pest activity like this to go under the radar, termite damage is far too common in our region. Not only is this kind of damage common, but it can also accumulate day in and day out all year long without being noticed. That is what we’re going to discuss today. We’ll look at why termites are still a threat in Richmond and surrounding areas even though cold weather is coming, and we’ll explain what you can do to protect your property from termite damage. As always, we’re only a phone call away. You can contact Evergreen Pest Solutions anytime; we’re here to help!
How do termites react to the cold?
Termites are cold-blooded. Does that mean they’re cold all the time or that they like being cold? No. It means that they don’t have warm blood running through their bodies, and they don’t maintain a warm body temperature to keep their blood warm. Termites are cold when their surroundings are cold and warm when their surroundings are warm.
When a termite is warm, it is active. Its body reacts positively to warmth. When it is cold, it slows down. Cold temperatures make moving around more difficult. If the temperature drops too low, a termite stops moving altogether. This is called diapause. But, termites in Virginia rarely enter this low-energy state. Let’s take a look at why this is the case.
How ground temperatures impact termite activity
It doesn’t take long for air to warm up. It can feel like one day it’s freezing, and the next it’s boiling. But ground temperatures don’t shift that quickly. Ground temperatures change slowly. The ground temperature typically fluctuates between 50 and 60 degrees throughout the year. These temperatures are more than high enough to allow termites to stay active. However, termites are more active toward the surface, where average temperatures are much higher during the hot summer. That is why termites are considered more active in summer but rarely stop, even in winter.
What do termites do in winter?
These insects are always looking for food. In nature, they’re found feeding on the dying roots of dying trees when temperatures drop. In Richmond, Charlottesville, and Roanoke, they can get underneath structures and go in and out of homes through cracks in foundations. If termites establish themselves in an ideal location, they’ll take advantage of warmed interior wood as they feed and pass through cold surface ground to bring the food back to their nests.
What can you do about Virginia termites?
You’re doing one of the most important things right now: learning about these destructive pests. Termites damage homes and businesses over time. They can only do this because property owners often don’t know how to detect the warning signs or apply preventative measures.
Warning signs of termites
- Dried mud tubes running along the foundation, in crawl spaces, and inside structures.
- Tiny black insects with long white wings (called termite swarmers)
- Shed swarmer wings in landscaping, spider webs, and around doors and windows.
- Wood damage in humid or damp areas, particularly where wood touches the ground.
Termite prevention tips
- Perform routine inspections to look for warning signs.
- Remove termite food sources from the soil in your yard, such as wood, cardboard, paper, etc.
- Address moisture issues inside and around your structure.
- Trim landscaping to reduce humidity next to your home.
- Eliminate wood-to-soil contact, particularly around decks.
What is the best way to guard against termite damage?
Professional termite control is the best way to protect against termites and the damage they cause. There are a few reasons why:
- It is easy to forget to inspect for termite activity.
- It isn’t easy to get into many places where termite activity is found.
- Termites are incredibly sneaky and can avoid detection, even when you’re looking for them.
- Professional termite control is a scientific approach known to achieve the best results.
Professionals use two solutions to guard properties against termite damage: bait and liquid termiticides. Some companies only use bait and some only use termiticides. How does Evergreen Pest Solutions exterminate termites? We’re glad you asked.
Termite control with Evergreen Pest Solutions
Our team doesn’t take chances with your property investment. We guard your property as if it were our own. For that reason, the on-staff experts at Evergreen Pest Solutions offer termite bait and liquid treatment options. After carefully inspecting your property for activity, damage, and conducive conditions, we’ll recommend the best termite treatment for your situation.
Termite baiting
We use Trelona® ATBS for long-term protection and effective termite surveillance. A one-year termite re-treatment warranty is included and can be renewed with an annual termite inspection.
Liquid termite treatment
We use Termidor® HE. This modern termiticide has “Transfer Effect” technology that uses termite workers against their own colonies. It comes with a five-year termite re-treatment warranty.
Contact us to get a free termite quote for your property. We service Richmond, Charlottesville, Roanoke, and the surrounding areas. Connect with us today and stop worrying about termite damage!
