How insects respond to temperature
As we pointed out, cold temperatures can slow insects down. The reason for this is that most are cold-blooded insects. That doesn’t mean they like the cold; it simply means they do not have warm blood. Therefore, as temperatures cool, insects will as well. However, air temperatures and ground temperatures differ. The air can get chilly quickly, particularly on a February night, but it takes longer for the ground to change temperature because rocks and soil create a thermal mass that traps heat. The ground is where most termites live and from where a termite attack originates.
The most destructive termites in The Woodlands
If you’ve lived in The Woodlands for long, you know that the worst termites in our region are subterranean termites. In fact, their name says it all. These termites live in the ground. Since ground temperatures fluctuate slowly, it never gets too cold for termites. What this means for property owners is that termites present a year-round threat, and year-round termite control is necessary.
How to check for termites
Nicknamed silent destroyers, subterranean termites are incredibly sneaky insects and are excellent at staying out of sight, at least at first. You could have a million workers in your home and not know it. Their ability to avoid detection can result in billions of dollars in termite damage yearly in the United States. But, sometimes, they give themselves away. Here are some signs to look for in and around your home:
- Check for mud tubes on your foundation walls or slab. These tubes are above-ground tunnels made of soil and termite saliva.
- Look for damage to structural wood near the soil, particularly in humid or moist locations.
- Inspect for bubbling paint or wallpaper on interior walls.
- Keep an eye out for shed termite swarmer wings near exterior windows and sliding glass doors.
- Check structural beams by tapping on the wood. If they sound hollow, you may have termites inside.
While it is possible to hear termites, their sounds are usually so subtle that they are undetectable. A rattling or clicking in your walls is a warning sign of a significant infestation. Contact Marathon Pest Control immediately if you hear termites.
Year-round termite control is the best option
Good news, though: termite baiting stations are a highly effective solution for exterminating subterranean termites and preventing termite damage. They require professional installation and management. In fact, professional-grade solutions, such as Sentricon®, require pest management professionals to become certified. The certification process ensures the best results for customers and brand integrity for the manufacturer.
How does Sentricon® work?
A certified Sentricon® installer installs a series of bait stations around the exterior perimeter of your home. These stations contain termite bait that addresses active termite infestations while preventing new colonies from establishing. When termite workers come near your home, they find the bait in these stations and feed on it. The bait is digested and carried back to the colony, where the rest of the population feeds on it. When termites, including the queen, consume the active ingredient in the bait, it leads to complete colony elimination.
Why does Sentricon® work?
No other termite control system has as much research and testing. What’s more, that research and testing has led to many important discoveries regarding termite behavior, including:
- Termites always find the bait: Termite workers are simple organisms that do not require sleep. Not only is sleep not required, workers never stop searching for food. Bait is food and is just as attractive to these insects as natural cellulose sources.
- Termites prefer bait: While termites eat wood, they prefer decaying wood to fresh wood. Not only is termite bait a preferable source of food, but it also becomes more palatable the longer it stays in the ground.
- Termites die if they cannot molt: Termites shed their exoskeletons as they grow. This process is called molting. The Sentricon® bait disrupts the molting process. If the growing termites can’t shed their exoskeletons as they grow, they die.
Sentricon® is a scientific termite control solution that targets termite physiology. It is highly effective and environmentally friendly, so much so that the Sentricon® system is the only termite control product to earn the Presidential Green Chemistry Challenge Award.
Contact Marathon for the best termite control!
If you live in The Woodlands or elsewhere in our service area and want year-round termite protection, contact your Certified Sentricon® Installers at Marathon Pest Control. We provide installation and management of this award-winning and scientifically derived termite control solution. Complete our online form or call us!
Don’t let termites make a meal out of your home, get protected! Termites never take a break, and neither should your termite protection.
