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What To Do About Subterranean Termites In The Washington Metropolitan Area

January 16, 2024

Do you value the condition of your home? For most people, their home is the most expensive thing they own. This kind of weight usually drives individuals to do everything in their power to keep things in tip-top shape. One way you can do this with your home and property is to keep it safe from subterranean termites and termite damage. Here are some things you should know about subterranean termites in the Washington Metropolitan Area and how to keep your property safe.

Signs Of Subterranean Termites On Your Washington Metropolitan Area Property

Termites are among the most difficult pests to identify here in the Washington Metropolitan Area. One thing that makes termites so hard to identify is the fact that they hardly ever come above ground or out of the wood they are chewing through. To help you know if your home has an active infestation, here are some signs of termites to look out for:


  • Pin-sized holes running in and out of structural wood
  • Discoloration caused by moisture damage in your walls, floors, and ceilings
  • Sagging or tearing wallpaper/paint
  • Live swarmers (flying termites) buzzing around your living areas
  • Tight-fitting windows and doors
  • Overly-squeaky floors and stairs
  • Mud tubes running up your home’s exterior foundation
  • Hollow-sounding wood
  • A rustling noise coming from inside structural wood
  • Other severe structural damage caused by moisture or hollowed-out wood


One thing to keep in mind is that most signs of termites usually don’t show up until months after an infestation begins and severe damage has already been caused.

Why It's Hard To Get Rid Of Subterranean Termites On Your Washington Metropolitan Area Property

It is incredibly difficult to deal with a termite problem. This is party because subterranean termites spend the majority of their lives either underground or inside a structure of wood. This makes treating these pests challenging, and knowing if treatments are working nearly impossible. To add to the challenge, properties that have had termites for more than a few years often have more than one colony working together. Knowing where these colonies are is important if you want to effectively handle these pests. The best thing you can do is hire a professional.

How Do Subterranean Termites Get Into Washington Metropolitan Area Homes?

There is not a wide variety of kinds of termites here in the Washington Metropolitan Area. The only species that causes trouble in our area is the Eastern subterranean termite. These termites live in large social colonies located underground. These colonies are typically built near sources of cellulose. If you didn’t know, cellulose is the main component found in wood and other fibrous plants. When termites build their nests on area properties, one thing they look for while tunneling underground is edible structural wood. What makes wood edible for Eastern subterranean termites? It has to be water damaged, rotting, or softened in some other way. If your gutters are not working properly, water is building up around your home’s exterior, or rain has negatively affected your home’s wood, then you are likely to have trouble with termites.

Who To Call About Subterranean Termites in the Washington Metropolitan Area

To make sure that your home is not susceptible to a termite problem and that you are not dealing with active termites, let our team at Pestechs come out to take a look. Our team is trained to identify destructive termites and has solutions to both remove them and keep them away from your property in the future. All of our termite removal and prevention services are designed to fit individual homes’ needs.

Contact us today to find out more about our services and find a time to have your Washington Metropolitan Area home checked for termites.

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