Termites in Greater Phoenix AZ Valley & Contributing Conditions to Infestations
Signs of A Termite Infestation
- Termite SWARMERS are black in color.
- Mud tubes going up foundation, on walls, or hanging from a ceiling.
- Visibly damaged wood
Desert Landscape Termites
In the Arizona desert, we have the “Desert Termite” (Gnathamitermes & Wheeler Termites).
This type of Termite is doesn’t usually invade homes and cause damage. “Desert Termites” mostly feed on wood, and PLANTS outside.
After a good rain or watering, “Desert Termites” build “mud tubes” that can completely cover dead plants or wood products. Desert Termites also leave sheets of mud on Palm Trees, Cactus, and pieces of wood touching the ground.
Drywood Termites
Drywood Termites are not as common in the Phoenix Arizona valley, but are an occasional problem.
Light Western Drywood Termites can be found in the Sonora Desert BELOW 4000 ft elevation. Drywood Termites live INSIDE the wood they infest, and are rarely seen.
Signs Of Drywood Termites
- Drywood termites expel piles of fecal pellets from nests out of tiny holes. (After you’ve cleaned the fecal pellets away, the straw colored pellets will build up again.)
- Swarmers are red
- Small holes, about 1mm in diameter
- Piles of small wings
Conducive Conditions for Termite Infestations
- Moisture in the soil around the foundation or in the home itself. {Leaky pipes and plumbing problems cause moisture problems ATTRACTING termites.}
- Direct wood to soil contact. NO part of your home {or structure touching your home like wood fences and trellises} should have direct contact with the soil and your house.
- Faulty grade draining water toward the foundation, instead of away from the home.
- Trees & bushes too close or touching the home or office. Vines, Shrubs, and other vegetation should NOT grow on or against your house or siding because it traps moisture, attracts termites, inhibits termite inspections, and contributes to wood decay.
- No ACTIVE Termite BARRIER. This can be the absence of a termite pre-treat before construction, of just an older home that needs a new Termite Control Application. This does not show on report.}
- Cracks in the foundation. {These do not show on a termite report, but can provide ample access for termites into a structure.}
- Wood Debris and MULCH – Mulch is great for plants and landscaping, BUT can cause problems with TERMITES. Termites LOVE MOIST WOOD or cellulose containing materials in mulch, and often forage these areas. If you use mulch keep it down to 2-3 inches thick and DO NOT put it next to your foundation. Mulch should NOT have contact with stucco siding, the foundation, siding, windows or doors. ANY wood debris in the soil can attract termites as a food source. Concrete form boards, tree and bush stumps, scrap wood, fire wood, landscape timbers even cardboard boxes and newspaper attract foraging termites.
Subterranean Termites
Most termites, found in our Arizona Desert, are Subterranean Termites that live in vast colonies as deep as 50 feet underground.
Subterranean Termites come up in search of cellulose, in the wood products of your home, to feed on. Our native species is Heterotermes. These native subterranean Termites flourish in our dry desert. They usually swarm during Monsoon season, and after heavy rains. This species build “Mud Tubes” that are small, strong, and air tight! Subterranean Termites like to nest in areas with more moisture, and under concrete foundations. Because these Termites are so small, they can invade homes through very small cracks in concrete and expansion joints! Homeowners often call us for Termite Control when they discover mud tubes going up a foundation, poking through a wall, or when they see flying termites “swarming” around their home.
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