Termites can be considered one of the most harmful pests that endanger homes in New Mexico. Despite the fact that the state features very dry climate conditions, some types of termites are successfully adapted to live in deserts and cause costly damages to the construction of houses. They eat the wood from inside and the presence of these silent pests in the house cannot be detected at early stages when the wood still looks normal. The damage usually becomes noticeable only after you notice hollow wood, mud tubes or sagging floor boards.
Home owners use commercial sprays to eliminate termites but these techniques do not kill the whole colony that causes all troubles. The professional services that are provided by the companies specializing in pest control in New Mexico offer inspection, customized solution of your problem and protection against future pest invasion.
Why Termites Remain a Problem in New Mexico
Desert Conditions Do Not Eliminate Risk
There is an assumption that termites cannot live in areas where there is no moisture. The subterranean termites need moisture for survival; they create colonies underground where irrigation systems, leaks from plumbing, or shaded landscaping can give them enough moisture to survive. They use mud tubes to access their food sources while protecting themselves from predators.
Adobe houses, wood framing, fences, decks, and crawl spaces still continue being at risk due to low humidity of the state. Moisture present around a house foundation can become a reason for termite colony creation. Professional Pest Control New Mexico know about these local conditions and create treatment programs taking into consideration the desert climate.
Common Termite Species Found in New Mexico
Subterranean Termites
Subterranean termites are the most common types of termites that occur in New Mexico. They live below ground level and form colonies with tens of thousands of worker termites. They gain entry into buildings through cracks in foundations, expansion joints, plumbing openings, and wood that comes into contact with the soil.
Drywood Termites
Though rare compared to subterranean termites, drywood termites are known to attack wood furniture, attics, roof structures, and any other wood which is not treated. Unlike subterranean termites, drywood termites live in dry wood completely without coming in contact with soil. Correct identification enables proper choice of methods of extermination.
Warning Signs You Should Never Ignore
Mud Tubes Around Foundations
Subterranean termites build tiny mud tunnels on concrete foundations, crawlspace, and basement walls to move between their nest and sources of food.
Hollow Wood and Structural Signs
The wood that has been damaged by termites sounds hollow when knocked against. The floors tend to be sagging, doors cannot be closed easily and the wooden molding is likely to be bulged or cracked.
Swarming Winged Termites
In the spring and summer months, reproductive termites swarm out of their mature colonies to form a new colony. If you find any winged termites near light fittings, windows and doors, it means there is termite activity nearby.
Long-Term Protection Requires More Than Surface Treatments
Most property owners think that treating the seen termites will solve the problem. However, only a few termites can be seen at any one time because the majority of the queen and other worker termites are buried in the ground or inside walls.
Professional Pest Control in New Mexico provide treatment for termite infestations using procedures which ensure the elimination of entire colonies as opposed to just reducing the seen termites.
Modern Termite Control Solutions
Liquid Barrier Treatments
Liquid termiticides are used around the foundation of the house, and create a barrier that the termites will not pass through. As the termites pass through the treated soil, the termiticide is spread among the whole colony, which leads to its complete elimination.
Monitoring Bait Systems
The bait systems that are installed around the building attract foraging termites and the workers carry the bait back to the colony. This way, not only the queen but all other members get eliminated.
Preventive Inspections
Inspection is considered one of the most valuable procedures that a homeowner can perform. With their help, it is possible to detect the termites before they do serious harm.
Moisture Management Is Essential
One of the most recent approaches to the problem of termite control involves moisture control in addition to the use of chemicals. Although the weather in New Mexico is rather dry, leaky sprinklers, drainage issues, leaky roofs, and plumbing will provide excellent conditions for termites.
Those home owners who deal with leaks quickly, ensure good ventilation of the crawl space, avoid having mulch around the foundation and firewood close to the building can greatly decrease the chances of being attacked by termites.
Case Study: Early Detection Saved a Home in Albuquerque
A home owner in Albuquerque observed some narrow mud tubes creeping up the walls near the outside water tap. Thinking that they could be created by benign insects, the homeowner took no action until soft areas were detected under the dining room floor several months later.
An inspection conducted by termite specialists showed the presence of an active subterranean termite colony infiltrating the structure through a small crack in the foundation wall. Moisture from the leaking irrigation line kept the colony alive despite the desert environment.
Rather than fixing the damaged floors first, the owner took the technician’s advice to get rid of the termite colony through a series of liquid barriers, monitoring systems, moisture repairs, and regular annual inspections. In just a few months’ time, the inspections confirmed that the termite colony had been successfully gotten rid of. According to contractors, it could have cost much more money for structural repair had the owner waited another year. Investing in pest control was beneficial for the owner of the property.
Protect Your Home Before Termites Cause Expensive Damage
It is highly unlikely that termite infestations will go away by themselves without proper treatment. The fact that termites stay concealed behind walls, underneath foundations, and in other areas where structural wood can be found, makes delaying their treatment a very costly mistake since they are allowed more time to spread out and do even more damage to your home.
Professional Pest Control Services of New Mexico offer full inspections, termite identification, advanced technology treatment solutions, moisture control advice, and preventive maintenance specifically tailored for New Mexico properties. No matter if you want to buy a new place or keep an existing one protected, a pest professional can help you to create a customized plan to prevent termite infestation.
Order a professional termite inspection today and eliminate termite damage to your home. Protecting your investment against pests will not only help you to save money but also bring peace of mind.
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