Desert Termites in Phoenix, AZ
What Are Desert Termites?
Desert termites are a type of subterranean termite that live in the desert. They can be found in parts of Arizona, California and Nevada.
There are two types of desert termites: one that builds mounds and one that doesn’t build mounds. The mound-building species is more common than its non-mound building counterpart; however both species cause damage to structures by eating away at wood and other organic materials within them.
The Risks of an Infestation
The risks of an infestation are significant. If you have termites, your home could be at risk for structural damage and even collapse. Termites eat wood–and that includes structural beams and joists in your home’s foundation. They can also cause electrical problems by eating through electrical wiring, causing fires or explosions if left unchecked.
If you suspect that there is an infestation in your Phoenix home, contact our team immediately! We will inspect the property for signs of desert termite activity before providing treatment options that will eradicate these pests once and for all
Preventative Measures
There are several things you can do to prevent an infestation of desert termites in Phoenix. First and foremost, it’s important to keep your home clean and dry. A dirty home will attract these insects because they love moisture and humidity. If you notice any leaks or standing water in your house, it’s time to call a professional plumber right away! Second, make sure all of your windows have screens on them so that no flying insects can get inside your house through them while they’re open during the summer months (this includes doors). Finally, if possible try not leaving any food outside overnight–this includes pet food bowls too!
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Termite Treatment Solutions
There are several different types of termite treatments available, and each has its own benefits. Below, we’ll go over some of the most common methods used to protect your property from infestation.
- Liquid Termiticide: This is a chemical that can be sprayed onto wood surfaces or injected into the ground around your home. It’s effective because it kills any existing termites that come in contact with it, but also prevents new colonies from forming by preventing eggs from hatching. Liquid termiticides should be applied every year as part of regular maintenance programs and may need reapplication after heavy rains or flooding events (which can wash away protective barriers).
- Baiting System: These systems use bait stations filled with food scented with an insecticide called hexaflumuron as an attractant for worker ants within the colony; when they eat enough poison over time they die off before reaching adulthood–effectively halting reproduction among entire colonies! The best part? There’s no need for repeated applications since there aren’t any chemicals involved–just place out some bait stations near where you see signs of activity (usually near trees) once every few months until no more activity is seen anywhere on your property again…and voila! You’ve got yourself some peace-of-mind knowing those nasty critters won’t ever bother coming back again
Desert Termite Control and Eradication
Got Desert termites? Get affordable help today from Arizona’s Termite Experts – Bills Pest Termite Control. Family-owned and locally operated we have been protecting Arizona homes for over three generations. If you are having a problem with termites give us a call today. We can dispatch an experienced inspector to help evaluate your infestation. We provide free inspections, evaluations, and second opinions.
Not all termites are the same. In fact, Arizona is home to at least 17 different species. Arizona desert termites are the most common subterranean termite found in Arizona.
Arizona desert termites are usually found on or around desert plants including cacti, Palm trees, and wood fences in subdivisions. While desert termites don’t normally invade homes they are often found in crawl spaces of manufactured homes. Left unchecked Desert termites can cause severe structural damage and are known for damaging wood utility poles.
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Identification of Swarmers and Soldiers: The Desert subterranean is a pale yellowish brown and a fontanelle (front gland pore) is indistinct or absent.
The wings have two prominent hardened veins in the front portion. The wing membrane is translucent, almost colorless, with a few barely visible hairs. The front wing is larger than the hind wing.
The head of the Arizona desert termite soldier is rectangular in shape, the length about twice the width. It also has a fontanelle (front gland pore) on the forehead. The body (pronotum) is flat and almost as wide as the head.
The Desert termite soldiers have long powerful pointed jaws (mandibles) that are slender, and fairly straight but slightly curved inward at the tip. This contrasts with the mandibles of other Phoenix area termites that are thick and curved.
The small size of Arizona desert termites and their ability to forage under dry conditions allows them to occupy a niche not exploited by other Arizona termite species.
Subterranean Desert Termites
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Identification of wood damage: Arizona desert termites prefer to eat the springwood in timbers, generally avoiding the lignin in summerwood. Damaged timber appears honeycombed, with soil in the galleries.
The Arizona desert termite is less dependent on moisture and decay than other Phoenix area termites. It will readily attack dry, sound wood. A typical sign of an infestation is the presence of drop tubes coming from the ceiling rafters and sheetrock/plasterboard and/or holes in the sheetrock plugged with feces.
Arizona desert termites prefer to forage in shaded soil or areas made wet by irrigation.
They will readily construct mud shelter tubes up, over, or around solid objects in order to reach a timber food source. These mud-tubes are slender, solidly built, and pale yellow to tan in color.
The mud-tubes are more circular in cross-section than those of other Phoenix area subterranean termites whose mud-tubes are flattened in cross-section and dirty light brown in color.
Arizona desert termites most often swarm at night during the rainy season, from July to September, usually after during our monsoon season or after rainfalls. The moist soil provides the nuptial Desert termite swarmers with the best chance of surviving and developing a new colony. The male and female pair off and enter the soil where they excavate a cavity or cell.
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A well-developed mature colony of Arizona desert termites may contain more than 300,000 termites, including a large number of secondary reproductive’s (queens) that can readily break off from the primary colony to form separate colonies. Arizona desert termites commonly have a foraging territory of up to almost an acre. An acre of land in the Phoenix area can hold 15-20 different colonies.
Arizona desert termites require only a tiny gap, about 1/32″, in concrete flooring or mortar joints in brick walls to gain access to the wall, roofing, and other structural timbers in a building.
The Arizona desert termite can penetrate cracks in concrete and masonry that are too narrow for foragers of other Phoenix area termite species to enter.
Arizona desert termites often build their mud-shelter tubes as free-standing tubes that “drop down” from rafters, ceilings, and subfloor areas under buildings.
It is by far the most common and destructive termite in Arizona.
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In Arizona locations below 4,000 feet, the Desert termite can swarm between January and August. Above 4,000 feet, they usually swarm in June and July.
The swarmers are about 1/3″ long with wings, and 1/5″ long without wings. Their wings are almost whitish, with brown veins in the fore area. They are dark brown to black in color. The soldiers are 1/4″ long, with jaws that are nearly straight. They resemble the jaws of the desert termite but are slightly thicker.
Biology and Habits: The Arizona desert termite has been found living in sand dunes, as well as at altitudes above 7,000 feet along the Mogollon Rim.
It is also found in moist river low lands and along streams and canyons, but essentially it is a desert or prairie species. Arizona desert termites naturally occur in deserts where they attack creosote and greasewood bushes as well as buildings and other timber structures.
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Related: Subterranean – Pictures – Drywood – White Ants
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