Termites Be Gone: Proven Techniques For Successful Termite Control In Oahu

Oahu, Hawaii, is known to many as the "Heart of Hawaii." The beauty of Oahu comes from its combination of breathtaking sights and friendly people. Its roots in traditional values and many cultural influences have made it an exciting place to visit, conduct business, and settle down. While living in paradise has some fantastic perks, it can also have drawbacks, especially when local termites appear. Without pest control in Oahu, these hungry, destructive insects can leave a lasting impression that won't leave the locals with good vibes.

Know The Warning Signs Of A Termite Infestation

Termites in Oahu get an ample supply of both warmth and moisture, which is the perfect recipe for their survival. Adding the abundance of cellulose (plant material, paper, and wood) products around the island, you have the ideal trifecta for fulfilling a hungry termite's insatiable appetite. While termites typically get all the sustenance they need from sources outdoors, sometimes, in their search for food, they stumble into area properties. If termites find even the tiniest opening, they'll march in and make themselves comfortable. Over time, visible signs of their infestation will become evident.

Warning signs of termites inside your building include the following:

• "Swarmer" (reproductive termite) wings around windows and doors
• Mud tubes attached to structures (connecting ground to building)
• Pinprick-sized holes in wood
• Piles of "sawdust" (termite feces) pile underneath wooden items
• Blackened/blistered, crumbly or hollow-sounding wood
• Bubbling paint and uneven wallpaper

Spotting signs of a termite infestation is unsettling, but professional termite exclusion services from a pest professional like Pest Tech Hawaii can help take the worry out of termite removal. Our technicians use up-to-date products and proven industry techniques to affect complete termite elimination.

How A Termite Infestation Starts

Termite infestations begin when colony members search for a location to provide them with food and water. In Oahu, two kinds of termites attempt to get indoors: ground termites and drywood termites. Both need cellulose for survival but prefer different types of wood. Ground termites prefer moist and rotting wood, and drywood termites prefer hard, dry wood.

Another difference between the two termite species is how they access homes. Ground termites need protection from the soil to keep from drying out, so their travel method is underground. They'll build mud tubes to connect to buildings, using cracks, crevices, and gaps to access facilities. Drywood termites, on the other hand, can live above ground. They gain the moisture they need from humid air or the wood they consume. They enter structures using gaps around windows and doors, through vents in the attic and foundation, and under fascia boards and eaves. Since they can live in wood for long periods, people sometimes unknowingly transport them into their homes when they bring furniture and antiques into buildings.

Once inside a structure, active termites often eat wood from the inside out 24 hours a day as they reproduce. Ground termite colonies can grow anywhere from 60,000 members to millions, while drywood termite colonies tend to be smaller, averaging around 2,500 members. Regardless of the species that enter your structure, each can inflict significant damage over time, so property owners must contact an elimination specialist like Pest Tech Hawaii to minimize damages caused by termites.

Prevention Is Key: How To Remove Factors That Attract Termites

Termites don't need any encouragement from property owners to launch a full-scale invasion; therefore, it is wise to implement various prevention measures around properties. A few simple steps can go a long way in deterring termites from infesting buildings.

Six termite prevention tips that help remove factors that attract termites include:

1. Fix plumbing issues within buildings quickly.
2. Reduce excess moisture/humidity levels inside buildings (especially in attics and crawl spaces).
3. Keep wooden items, including mulch, well away from foundations.
4. Paint or seal exposed wood (especially for drywood termites).
5. Seal cracks and crevices in foundations or where utilities enter buildings.
6. Avoid planting trees, shrubs, or bushes close to structures (not letting them brush up against wooden fixtures).

While establishing preventative measures around properties is essential, termites are tiny and hard to stop. If termites circumvent your protective measures, you'll need experienced termite removal specialists like Pest Tech Hawaii for immediate remediation.

Professional Termite Extermination: Know When To Call In The Experts

Any evidence of termites around your property needs special attention from professionals. Without proper removal, termites can inflict costly damages over time. Pest Tech Hawaii is a locally operated business with deep roots in the community. We've served the residents of Oahu since 2016, offering a full range of professional pest and termite control services that address a property's individual needs. Whether you've discovered your termite problem early or late, the best way to get rid of them is by calling Pest Tech Hawaii today to request an estimate. We're here, near, and ready to lend a hand.