Can Termites Move From House To House?

You are in the car, listening to your favorite radio station. Today was your “running errands” day. You went to the bank to take care a financial situation, had coffee with a friend, and went to the grocery store. As you turn into your neighborhood, you notice a termite pest control vehicle parked right next to your house. You pull into your driveway and start unloading groceries from your trunk. As you are on your last trip, your neighbor walks out and explains you her situation. Apparently she has a termite infestation in her home. The Cave Creek termite exterminator found the termite colony in the basement and determined it’s been about six months since the colony settled. Your neighbor is getting a termite treatment in Cave Creek that will eliminate the termites and spraying pesticide to protect her home from future termites and other pest.

You wish her luck and as you close the door of your house, you are wondering if your house has termites. Your neighbor’s house is only a few feet away, what if the termites move into your house? After getting paranoid and researching for possible signs of termites, you call a termite pest control in Cave Creek and ask for termite inspection in Cave Creek as soon as possible. Varsity Termite and Pest Control can tell that it’s very unlikely for termites to move from house to house. Houses that were built simultaneously and in the same neighborhood get termite infestation at the same time. If one house in your neighbor as termites, is probable that your house also has termites. Before you panic, the degree termite infestation is different for every house. To limited the possibility of termites inhabiting in your home, we suggest the following:

• Remove dead wood from your property.
• Keep firewood, lumber, paper away from foundation or crawl space.
• Check decks and wooden fences for damage.
• Remove excessive plant cover and wood mulch.
• Wood on your home shouldn’t contact the soil.
• Place screen on outside vents.
• Repair leaking faucets, water pipes, and A/C units.
• Divert water from foundation.
• Keep gutter and downspouts clean.
• Get rid of standing water on roof.
• Keep all vents clear and open.
• Seal entry points around water and utility lines or pipes.

Half of the list are about decreasing the food source and the other half is making sure your house is not habitable for termites. The main food source of termites is cellulose. Cellulose is an organic compound that is found in plants’ biology. Cellulose is found in wood, and wood is the common food of termites. Reducing the amount of wood/cellulose related materials will decrease the possibility of termites in your property. Suggestions from 1-5 gives you an idea of what to look for. Adding to that, most people store their personal belongings in cardboard boxes or/and plastic containers. Both material attracts termites, however we recommend to use the plastic containers and maintaining them as clean as possible.

While plastic attracts termites, where you store the containers is important. Warm and humid environments attract termites. Basements are usually humid and warm, which is why the neighbor’s termite infestation was mainly in the basement. Suggestions from the list above, 6-12, is about eliminating moisture from your house. A termite will die if it’s exposed to dry temperature. Arizona is 90% desert, so why are termites in major cities? Well, termites go for moisture environment, and in there are environments with enough moisture for termites to inhabit. Repairing leaks, diverting water from your house foundation, keeping the gutter and downspouts clean, and sealing entry point around water and utility lines will disqualify your house a possibility of a home for termites

In other words, keep your property and house clean and well maintained. That will not only reduce the possibility of termites in your home, but as well as other pest. The suggestions above are not 100% guaranteed that termites will never step a leg in your home, other variables are considered. Talk with your neighbor. Ask them how they spot the signs of termite? What kind of termites they had and for how long, and what their termite treatment is and for how long as well. After that, call a termite pest control company. Varsity Termite and Pest Control will answer all your questions and concerns. We can also arrange for termite exterminator conducted a free termite inspection in your home. And if you are paranoid that termite might move to your house, we can decide on a termite treatment to eliminate that possibility.

Published By:

Varsity Termite and Pest Control – Tony Kaufman

West Valley Location:

Office: 602-560-6021

East Valley Location:

Office: 602-757-8252