In the United States billions of dollars a year in repairs are spent due to the destruction caused by termites. With over 3,000 different species of termites found across the world, these pests are notorious. Termites work 24/7, never stopping. Without effective treatments, they will continue to demolish the cellulose resources, leaving your home or business and other wooden structures in ruin. The infestation does not always start in the structure, but it can start in the surrounding trees as well. Eastern subterranean termites and arid land subterranean termites are the most common termites in New Mexico. They live and nest within trees and wooden structures. When they get to your tree first, it is only a matter of time before they get to your home. Spotting the symptoms of a tree infested with termites can save your home before they get too close for comfort. To help you save your home and your trees, we at Bugman Pest Control of New Mexico, Inc would like to briefly discuss the termites infesting the trees.
What Type of Wood Do Termites Eat?
In nature, termites can actually be beneficial as fallen trees and dead stumps are eaten away. For survival, termites require cellulose material, particularly wood. They can rapidly consume large volumes of wood, especially where the thriving termite colony can build up to 250,000 members. Termites eat all kinds of wood. Even though they may prefer some species over others even wood that is somewhat termite resistant will break down and attract this pest. Termites are active all year long, although they seem more active in late spring and early summer as swarmers leave the original colony to begin a new one as the king and queen. When they do, they will often select an area close to a sickly or dying tree. As a result, people often find that their sick tree is doing extremely poorly and not improving.
Signs of Termites in Trees
Termites prefer the soft wood of poor trees, but will easily harvest healthy trees on close proximity as well. If the tree is not doing well, inspect the tree. Look for any sawdust or wood shavings at the base of the tree, tiny holes in the wood, piles of termite carcasses and shed wings, mud tubing, and exceptionally tiny white eggs. If any of these indicators are present, confirm the termite colony by digging just below the soil line at the root of the trees.
Can You Save a Tree from Termites?
If the termites are infesting your tree it is important that you inspect all the neighboring trees as well. Prune all the limbs and branches of the infested tree and remove the stump. Be sure it is properly disposed of. It might be more efficient to invest in professional removal.
Termite Inspections & Treatment
There are DIY treatments available. However, keep in mind that their success rate is relatively low in comparison to professional termination and you risk your home being exposed to the termites. Additionally, it is recommended that you invest in a termite inspection of your home if termites have been confirmed infesting your trees. If you have termites infesting your trees, be safe and call in the experts of Bugman Pest Control on New Mexico, Inc and let our trained professionals effectively remove them before they cause costly damages on your home!
