Termite Pest Control in Mesa, AZ

Termites, like cockroaches, are among the oldest and most resilient insects on earth. Their long existence has made them highly adaptable and persistent. However, unlike cockroaches, termites exhibit complex and organized social structures within their colonies, with specialized roles for each member. Unfortunately for homeowners, termites’ primary activity is consuming wood, which can lead to significant damage to houses, commercial buildings, and other structures.

Suspect termites are causing havoc on your Mesa property? Reach out for professional termite control in Mesa, AZ. Don’t delay—contact Burns Pest Elimination or give us a call today to prevent these wood-destroying pests from inflicting severe damage on your home or property.

What Do Termites Look Like?

Most termite species found in the Southwest, including Mesa, are subterranean and live underground. These termites form colonies in the soil and are social insects with three main castes: reproductives, workers, and soldiers. They obtain their nutrition from wood and other cellulose-rich materials.

Characteristics of termites include:

• Length between 1/4 inch to 3/8 inch
• Color varies by species, from white to cream-colored or coal-black to pale yellow-brown
• Can be winged or wingless
• Always maintain contact with the soil or other above-ground moisture sources

What Are the Signs of a Termite Infestation in Mesa?

Around Mesa, AZ, termites primarily rely on soil for moisture. Any wood-to-soil contact, especially with moist soil, can be an entry point into a home. Termites create long tubes made of mud and fecal material, known as exploratory tubes, which are easily visible and a key indicator of a potential termite infestation.

After locating a wood source, termites construct more permanent utility or working tubes. These tubes act as highways, connecting the underground termite colony directly to the food source. Utility tubes can extend over long distances, traversing building foundations or interior and exterior walls to access cellulose materials.

Subterranean termites thrive in moist environments and position themselves near or beneath food sources like your home. Because these termites prefer dark, damp areas, they can be challenging to detect. Here are some signs and traces of termites to look for in Mesa:

Mud Tubes

Mud tubes are the most obvious sign to look for. These pencil-width paths lead from the termite nest directly to your home, allowing termites to avoid sunlight. Inspect the surrounding land, crawlspaces, and basements of your Mesa property for these mud tubes.

Termite Swarms

Reproductive termites develop wings and take flight during the spring and fall. After swarming, they shed their wings, which you might find in piles around your home. Since flying termites and flying ants look quite similar, it’s important to contact a termite control professional to accurately identify the insect.

Piles

Drywood termites, which need less moisture than subterranean termites and are not connected to the ground or soil, leave sawdust-like piles around windowsills and cracks in woodwork or beams. You might also notice what appears to be collections of dirt at the base of walls and in corners.