As we inch closer and closer to the spring months, the bugs will slowly begin to reemerge and those insects include the troublesome termites! Homeowners in Hillsborough, NJ should be aware of the warning signs that you may have termite activity on your property and what you can do to protect your home from the wood-destroying insects.
Eastern Subterranean termites Photo Credit: National Pest Management Association
What are Termites?
The Eastern Subterranean Termites are a common wood destroying insect that is found in the northeastern part of the United States. Termites fulfill an important role in our ecological system by speeding up the natural process of deterioration and help turn the dead wood into new soil. Unfortunately, termites don't know the difference between a stump in your yard and the wood in your home. While they are generally found foraging underground for fallen wood, or plant debris, they commonly enter homes and are capable of causing extensive damage if left untreated.
How Do I Know if My Hillsborough, NJ Home has Termites?
Wood damaged from termites Photo Credit: Massey Services Inc.
Since termites are a common occurrence in nature, they are always on the search for a new food source, which may include your home. There are a number of environments termites prefer and it’s best to do a visual inspection of your property to remove any potential termite food sources.
Worker termites travel underground looking for fallen trees, decaying wood, plant debris and other cellulose materials to consume and bring back to the colony. It is not uncommon to find termites in mulch or a nearby wood pile around your home. Improper moisture control, leaf litter and direct wood-to-soil contact are all prime conditions that can promote termite activity on your property - often times within close proximity to your home. While foraging, worker termites will enter through expansion joints, cinderblock walls or the tiniest of cracks in the foundation of your home, ultimately leading them to the wood within the structure
Signs of Termite Activity in your Hillsborough, NJ Home
If you see swarming termites in your home (this usually occurs in the spring), it is a sure sign that Eastern Subterranean termites are present and may be infesting your home. Here are some indicators that you have termite activity in your home or on your property.
- You see dead termites. Termite swarms happen very quickly in the springtime.
- During a swarm, you may notice tear-dropped shaped wings about ¾ of an inch long. The wings will fall off of the swarming termites.
- Damaged wood with traces of mud in the damaged areas.
- Mud tunnels. Termites build elaborate tunneling systems beneath the ground.
- Structural weakness which includes a “soft feeling” floor, ceiling or moldings around windows, door frames or baseboards.
What Can I Do to Protect My Home from Termites?
At Cooper Pest Solutions, we offer three different termite services to treat, protect and prevent termites from damaging your Hillsborough, NJ home.
Sentricon® Always Active
This service combines monitoring and treatment. “Sentricon Always Active” is a device that is installed in the ground around your home. Each device monitors for termite activity but also contains a small amount of bait to kill any termite colonies that find their way into the Sentricon station. The stations are monitored using a scanner which connects to a computer and provides accurate results in less time. The service consists of two inspections a year for at least a two year period to make sure that termites have not been active on your property.
Active Termite Management
For homeowners who currently have active termite colonies on their property, Cooper Pest Solutions offers their Active Termite Management service. The service begins with an inspection to determine the extent of the termite infestation you are experiencing. A skilled Cooper technician can answer your questions about the termite treatment process and create an individualized plan of attack for treating your home. The active treatment will be followed up with our TermAware™ monitoring system to protect your home from future termite attacks.
TermAware™ Termite Service – Cooper Pest Solutions Exclusive Termite Protection
TermAware™ is a pro-active termite program that is designed to monitor for termite activity near the home. Once TermAware™ monitors are installed throughout the property, skilled technicians will inspect the monitors during the spring, summer and fall. At the time of each visit, a detailed inspection report is provided for the homeowner. In the winter, technicians will inspect the interior of the home for any signs of termites. If termite activity is identified, Cooper Pest Solutions will respond with the appropriate treatment.
The goal of the TermAware™ program is to continuously monitor and detect termites, so they can be treated early on. There is a one-time cost for active termites, but after all pre-existing termites have been successfully removed and the homeowner is participating in the TermAware™ preventative program, all necessary treatments are free of charge. If no pre-existing termite activity exists, Cooper Pest Solutions will treat the problem at no extra cost if termites are detected in a monitor or within the home.
With enrollment in the preventative TermAware™ program, homeowners will receive a TermAware™ Certificate of Protection complete with a damage warranty for home repairs should termite damage occur.
Cooper Pest Solutions designed the TermAware™ program to be the most comprehensive termite service that the pest industry currently has to offer. TermAware™ incorporates the latest technology in termite detection with proven treatment products and methods to provide the homeowner a peace of mind.
If you’re unsure if your home has termite activity or you want to protect your home from termites, contact Cooper Pest Solutions and one of our skilled representatives will assess your home and determine the more appropriate service for your needs. To schedule a consultation, call 1-800-949-2667 or fill out our FREE estimate form here.
