Termites do many millions of dollars worth of damage to homes and other buildings throughout Oklahoma each year. The termite species that call Oklahoma home is the eastern subterranean termite. This insect is found throughout the eastern United States and into the Central Plains, including Oklahoma and neighboring states. The eastern subterranean termite lives in the soil and swarms when warmer temperatures and rain raise the soil temperature to above 70 degrees. These termites are particularly destructive to woods used in building construction. Termite Control in Oklahoma City, OK is essential since the insects can begin doing damage as early as one year after a structure has been built.
The eastern subterranean termite workers and soldiers are very small, making it easy for them to find their way into tight spaces in a home. Termite professionals report that the insects can enter a building through cracks that measure less than one-sixteenth of an inch wide. Once inside, the workers will get busy finding food for the soldier termites as well as the queens that lay the eggs for the colony. Worker termites primarily eat the internal softer wood of timbers and planks used in buildings, leaving behind a weakened structure.
Termite Control in Oklahoma City, OK focuses on several steps to ensure that the current termite colony is eradicated and no other termite colonies will move into the area. The termites already in residence can be eradicated through termite bait systems that work by having the termites eat the poisonous bait and carry it back to the colony. These types of systems act slowly so that the insects are eradicated before they realize that their food source is killing them. An experienced termite technician knows where to place bait traps to effectively eliminate the pests.
Another option that can prevent termites from entering a structure is treatment of the soil around and under the structure. Like the termite bait systems used on colonies already living in the building, soil treatment is designed to work slowly so that the tunneling insects take the toxic substance back to the colony. Controlling moisture and timber placement in the building will also greatly reduce the likelihood that a termite colony will make the structure its home.
