Yes Virginia, there are termites in Longmont!
From time to time while I'm inspecting a house I come across signs of pest damage, usually from termites or occasionally from carpenter ants. Every time I mention the signs of damage to my clients I get a shocked expression and these same words "I didn't think there were termites in Colorado." Well, yes there are termites, carpenter ants and rarely powder post beetles.
Although a typical home inspection does not include a termite or other wood destroying insect (WDI) inspection good inspectors will know the signs of WDI damage and make a recommendation to their client that a WDI inspection be performed by a licensed and qualified pest control company.
WDI are largely associated with the southern half of the United States but there are slight to moderate concentrations of WDI reaching as far north as Canada. WDI cause an estimated 2 billion dollars in damage in the United States each year. This is more destructive than fire and windstorms combined.
The biggest problem pest I see around the northern front range is the Subterranean Termite. These termites live in the soil and move above ground to eat. A typical termite will consume 2 to 3 times its body weight each day. Termites live in colonies that have a caste system. The worker cast, is the largest number of the colony and they construct the colony as well as supply food for the nest. Soldier caste protects the colony from predators and escorts the workers as they search for food. The reproductive caste includes the queen and king and also includes an ant looking termite with wings. This ant like termites are called swarmers, they emerge from the nest in spring to establish new colonies. Termite colonies have thousands to millions of members and the colonies eat 24 hours a day, 356 days a year.
The signs of wood destroying insects are fairly easy to notice. To check for termites, probe any wood near the foundation or soil with a sharp screwdriver. Pay close attention to sill plates, rim joists, ends of floor joists, bases of wall studs and flooring. Termite-damaged wood offers little resistance to the probe. Subterranean termite damage almost always is confined to the soft, springwood growth. Tunnels tend to follow the wood grain. Look for moisture sources that may cause wood decay, which can encourage subterranean termite infestation. Extensive deterioration from wood decay can be confused with termite damage so if you see this kind of damage contact a pest control company for a WDI inspection.
The presence of earthen shelter tubes on a foundation wall or wood is also evidence of infestation. Subterranean termites build earthen, shelter tubes to protect them from low humidity and predators. These tubes are usually 1/4 to 1 inch wide. The termites use these tubes to travel from their colony to the wood source. If the house has a crawl space the inside and outside of foundation should be inspected for these tubes. Cracks in concrete foundations and open voids in concrete block foundations are also hidden avenues of entry.
The presence of large numbers of swarmers inside your house is a sure sign the structure is infested. The swarmers are drawn by light so you will likely find them at windows or lighting or find wings on the window sills.
There are some easy ways to protect your home from termites. Do not store firewood or construction materials against your home. The termites will look to these as a gateway to the structure of your house. Do not allow landscaping mulch or earth to be in contact with the siding of your home. Allow about 6-8 inches between earth and siding. Keep crawlspaces ventilated this will limit moisture that can attract the termites. And lastly you should conduct a visual inspection for termites at least once a year. If you find damage, there is no hurry to apply control measures. Take your time and carefully select a management strategy and commercial pest management professional (PMP) to treat the infestation.
Yes there are termites in Longmont, remember the best control is prevention.
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