Termites

Kansas City MO Professional Termite Pest Control

The tiny social insect known to Kansas City residents as the “termite” is destructive when it comes to building structures. A social insect is one that colonizes for the sake of survival in its natural habitat. Working as a colony improves the survival rate of all insect species, with the exception of solitary insect species. A solitary insect is a term utilized to describe pests that do not colonize. These insects travel, feed, and live alone, sometimes around others of their kind.

Cellulose from living plants and organic matter – insulation, paper, furniture, lumber, cotton fibers, and cardboard – make up the termite diet. It is not unusual to see termites foraging for food in areas where decaying organic matter is plentiful. The insect also feeds on seeds and branches from various tree species and roots, leaves, and roots of specific plant species.

Termites build underground tunnels to secure their nests and the queen. Termite tunnels can be found in decaying wood structures, such as tree stumps, downed trees and branches, deck railing, and mailbox posts. Any type of wooden structure that is in a state of disrepair is suspect for a termite attack.

What Is The Most Commonly Reported Termite Sighting In Kansas City?

Kansas City residents report thousands of termite sightings involving their properties each year. What most of these individuals do not know is the species are most likely subterranean termites. The Subterranean termite species are found throughout North America, including Missouri.

Subterranean termite damage accounts for approximately $2 billion in repairs each year in the United States alone. Termite tunnels are fairly easy to locate, especially when they are in the building phase. At the beginning of the tunnel, a dirt mound is visible from a short distance away. Termites remove dirt to make way for passages, which is where the mound comes into play.

The termite colony is very similar to the ant colony. Both have queens, workers, soldiers, winged and wingless swarmers. The major difference between the two insect colonies is the termite colony has an additional member – a king. The king is responsible for mating with the queen and caring for the young.

Termite Queen

The termite queen is a primary reproductive member, as she is solely responsible for increasing the colony’s population. The queen is notoriously massive. In fact, the queen grows so large that she is no longer ambulatory (capable of walking). When she needs to move from one place to another, a large colony of worker termites is called in. The workers gently move the queen to a new location from time to time.

The queen termite produces up to 30,000 each day when food is readily available. Out of all the termite colony members, the queen has the longest lifespan. She can survive up to 10 years in many cases.

King Termite

As previously mentioned, the king termite is responsible for mating with the queen. He also oversees the running of the colony. The termite king is a very important member of the colony. Without a king, the termite colony’s population will not continue to increase.

Worker Termite

The colony would not survive without worker termites. They’re responsible for all of the mundane activities. For instance, they have to help move the queen termites. They also care for the eggs, feed other termites, and build tunnels. They have soft bodies and no wings.

Soldier Termite

Soldier termites are white and wingless. They have powerful jaws and long heads. They use these features to defend the colony from predators. In general, they have to worry about ants. However, they may attack other predators too.

Swarmer Termite

Male and female swarmer termites are produced in spring. They have wings and can fly away from their original colony. Doing so allows them to fly across the property and build nests elsewhere. It is important to know that a colony can have many swarmer termites. It will only have one female and one male termite.

Types Of Termites In Your Area

Residents of Kansas City will have to worry about Subterranean termites. They’re common in Missouri and surrounding Kansas.

About Subterranean Termites

Subterranean termites are similar to other termites since they live in groups with classes. The colony will contain worker termites, soldier termites, and swarmer termites. The appearance is linked directly to the class. For instance, workers and soldiers tend to grow up to 3/8ths of an inch. As for swarmers, they can grow up to half an inch.

Behaviors

Subterranean termites tend to live underground, but they can live above ground too. When they need to access food sources, they’re going to use moist mud tubes. They use these tubes to protect themselves from predators. Subterranean termites consume cellulose so they’re going to destroy your home if you don’t address the problem.

Concerns

Termites aren’t dangerous, but they’re destructive. You have to get rid of them because they’ll destroy your home. They have teeth likes saws allowing them to chew through wood quickly. Fix the problem or you’ll experience severe property damage.

Flying Ants Or Flying Termites?

Before doing anything, you’ll want to find out what you’re dealing with. Is it a flying ant? Are you dealing with flying termites? If the insect has wings of identical sizes, you’re dealing with a flying termite. If the wings are two different sizes, it is a flying ant. You’ll also want to check their waist. A pinched waist means you’re dealing with a flying ant. Finally, flying termites have straight antennas.

Facts

Below, you will find some interesting facts about termites.

• They eat nonstop. They eat 24 hours a day and do not stop on the weekends.
• A termite colony will remain a problem for 50 to 70 years.
• 500,000 insects can live in a termite colony in the United States.
• Termites are beneficial because they help destroy deadwood.
• Most termite species need access to water at all times.
• They can live in mud tubes above ground, but the tubes have to be moist.
• Ants often attack termites.
• You can work with a professional to get rid of the termites.
• There are 2,000 known termite species in the world.
• The United States is home to 40 termites species.
• Alaska is the only American state that is safe from Subterranean termites.
• Subterranean termites cause most of the damage to American homes.
• They won’t chew through concrete, but they can move through it.

Termite Dangers

Although termites are frightening, they’re not dangerous. They cannot spread illnesses and they don’t bite. Nevertheless, they will destroy your valuables. Termites chew wood. If you don’t tackle the problem swiftly, there is a risk that you’re going to lose your home. You need to get rid of the termites quickly. Don’t let them destroy your home.

Eliminating Termites

Once you’ve identified a termite problem, you need to fix it as quickly as possible. Delaying the problem will only make it worse. Working with us is the best way to tackle the problem. Our company offers termite treatments that are safe and effective. Termites can live up to 300 feet away from your home. With this in mind, you will have difficulty trying to fix the problem on your own. Working with a professional is the best way to get rid of the termites.

Doing It Yourself

Are you interested in doing it yourself? Ultimately, this is one possibility but it might not be the best. The problem is that many DIY methods are not going to cut it. They’re ineffective and unreliable. Furthermore, some of them are dangerous. As a result, it is best to avoid these risks and work with a professional exterminator. Our company can help because we offer safe, effective solutions.

When Can You Arrive?

Contact our office. We’ll answer your questions and help you schedule an appointment. Someone with our company will contact you within 48 hours.

We Offer Safe Termite Treatments

When it comes to your safety, we don’t mess around. We’ll do everything we can to keep you safe every step of the way. We always provide safe termites solutions because we can about our clients. We use safe products to ensure that everything is going to be okay. Furthermore, the products we use are EPA-registered. As a result, this gives us peace of mind that we’re going to protect you and the ones you love.

Avoiding Future Infestations

You’ll want to take steps to avoid future termite infestations. Use the tips below to do that.

• Prevent water from sitting around your home’s foundation. Make sure the gutters are working properly and that the splash blocks are correctly positioned.
• Deal with any leaks immediately.
• Take care of humidity problems.
• Firewood needs to be stored away from the home and at least 5 inches from the ground.
• Check your home’s foundation for termites regularly. Be sure to look for cracked and peeling paint.
• When you find termites in your home, contact our office.

If you have any other pest control issues please check out other services.