Termites are small insects that can sneak into your home and cause a lot of expensive and dangerous damage to your house and property. The types of termites that are found in California can be extremely destructive. If you think you may have termites on your property, CVA Exterminators knows how to help. We offer a wide range of Santa Clarita pest control solutions, and we have a quick and easy way to achieve total termite control.
The Life Cycle Of A Termite Colony
Termite colonies in Santa Clarita can be quite large and contain several thousand termites in one nest. Because termite colonies are so big, in order to ensure that the colony is able to thrive, every termite has a specific job to do that is decided at birth.
All termites start as an egg. When the egg hatches, a nymph will emerge. Nymphs usually molt three to four times before they reach full maturity. The egg and nymph stages are the same for all termites. However, when they grow into adults, termites are separated into three different groups, which include:
- Worker: Most nymphs will turn into workers. They look similar to nymphs and also have pale white bodies. Workers are the busiest termites in the colony. They are responsible for feeding the nymphs, foraging for food, and building the colony.
- Soldier: The soldier termite's only job is to defend the colony against predators. They are larger than the workers and usually have darker heads than the worker termites. They are blind, but the large mandibles that protrude from their mouths make them fierce fighters.
- Reproductive: This group of termites is the only one that is able to see somewhat clearly. Some of the reproductives will grow wings and leave the colony to mate. Once they have mated, they will lose their wings and start a new colony. The winged termites are also referred to as swarmer termites.
To the termites in the colony, the queen and king are viewed as the most important members. Their main job is to reproduce, and they never leave the colony. In fact, the entire colony is usually built around the king and queen.
The Extent Of Property Damage Termites Can Create
Once a termite colony takes up residence in or near your home, it doesn't take long to start seeing noticeable damage to your wooden structures. On average, subterranean termites and other types of termites can consume about five grams of wood per day. This may not seem like much, but the small amount can quickly add up. It is estimated that termites cause several billion dollars of damage to United States homes each year.
The Hassle And Hazards Of DIY Termite Control
There are a few different reasons why DIY termite control is not effective. For starters, many of the treatments are only designed to kill adult termites. This may make you think that your infestation has been cured, but once the eggs hatch, the infestation will come right back.
There have also been reports of DIY termite treatments actually making the problem worse. If you use pesticides and chemicals, it can actually make the termites retreat further into the wooden surfaces in order to escape the harmful chemicals.
Contact The Professionals For Quality, Effective Termite Control
Trying to treat a termite infestation by yourself can also be dangerous. Some of the chemicals can also be extremely toxic to humans. If you are looking for a safe and effective way to eradicate termites from your Santa Clarita property, give us a call today. At CVA Exterminators, our customized multi-step termite control solutions can get rid of these destructive insects.