Honolulu Homeowners' Ultimate Termite Control Guide

Honolulu is a great place to live for many and a dream vacation for some. But, unfortunately, there are a variety of dangerous and destructive pests that feel the same way. While termites have never been linked to health hazards, they are one of the most destructive pests in the world. These wood-eating pests will create significant damage to your Honolulu home, over time, totaling into the thousands.

If you have termite problems in your Honolulu home, you might not realize it until it’s too late. When it comes to termites, knowledge is what is needed to avoid a long-term and expensive infestation. Find out what’s bringing termites to your property and how to get rid of them for good.

Seeing The Signs

Termites are wood-eating pests that can resemble small, white ants. They are very helpful for the environment and are a major reason why our vegetation in Honolulu is so vibrant. As they break down decaying wood, they help cycle nutrients back to the soil and continue the sustainably beautiful landscape that we love.

Unfortunately, they will also break down the wood within your walls or under your house, especially if it has been damaged by moisture buildup. It might take about 18 to 24 months, but termites can do over $3,000 of damage to your home in that time.

Here’s the real problem: you probably won’t see these pests as they are doing damage to your home. That’s why one of the keys to avoiding a long-term infestation is understanding the signs of termite activity on your property, such as:

• Mud tubes along the foundation walls
• Visible damage to exposed wood
• Shed wings of termite swarmers (colonizing, flying termites)
• Tightening around doors and windows
• Clicking noises within the walls
• Live termites in the soil or wood sources around the perimeter of the property

Proper Prevention Strategies

If you do notice these signs, then it's time to get professional help. Unfortunately, your store-bought solutions and your DIY pest control methods will only eradicate termites on contact, leaving a majority of the infestation unaffected in other areas of the property. This can make matters worse, as you will get a false sense of security, thinking that you are in the clear, while termites continue to run up your repair bill.

If you don't notice these signs, then you can flip your sights to creating a much less conductive environment for termites in hopes of avoiding their attraction to your property. Here are the best termite prevention methods that you can do on your own:

1. Control moisture issues throughout the property and replace moisture-damaged wood promptly. Most termites love to feed on moisture-damaged wood, allowing them to do more damage faster. Using a dehumidifier in humid areas of the home and maintaining the lawn properly can help you reduce moisture problems both inside and out.
2. Store firewood away from the house and off the ground. You should store firewood in a covered area so that it will not get wet, but you should also ensure that the structure under which the firewood is stored is not primarily made of wood.
3. Create a buffer around the perimeter of the house using 12 to 18 inches worth of gravel or rubber mulch to limit termite accessibility to the foundation of the house.

While all of these methods can reduce your chances of incurring a termite infestation, nothing provides the guaranteed methods that a Pest Tech Hawaii termite expert can. Give us a call today to schedule an inspection and get started with our drywood termite control or ground termite control services.