Termites are a serious threat to your home, but with the help of your Broken Arrow exterminator, they can be dealt with quickly and effectively. These wood-eating insects consume the wood inside your house, undermining its structural integrity. Since your home is likely your largest investment, it’s crucial to protect it from pests like termites that can cause significant damage. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at termites, their lifecycle, and how you and your Broken Arrow exterminator can prevent them from destroying your home.
Termite Digestion
Termites have a unique ability to digest wood, a process that plays a vital role in nature by breaking down fallen plant material. Their digestive system is powered by enzymes found in their gut biome, which allows them to transform cellulose—the primary component of wood—into energy. Wood cells are primarily made up of cellulose and lignin, with cellulose being the main food source for termites. When termites consume wood, their gut enzymes break down the cellulose to provide energy.
Interestingly, termites are not born with the necessary gut enzymes to digest wood. Instead, young termites acquire these enzymes through a process called trophallaxis, where they feed on the feces of adult termites. This process not only provides sustenance but also transfers the essential enzymes needed for digestion. To better understand termite digestion and how to stop them, contact your Broken Arrow exterminator.
Eliminating Termites with Your Broken Arrow Exterminator
To eliminate termites, it’s essential to contact a Broken Arrow exterminator who can address the issue effectively. In Oklahoma, two primary methods are used to control termites: liquid treatments and bait station systems. Often, both methods are used in combination for maximum effectiveness.
Liquid treatments are the older of the two approaches and have been widely used for many years. This method involves digging a trench around the perimeter of your home and applying a pesticide to the soil. This pesticide-soaked barrier acts as a protective curtain around the house. Termites, which forage through the top six inches of soil, must pass through this pesticide barrier to reach the house. As they move in and out of your home, they unknowingly carry the pesticide back to the colony, spreading it among the termites.
Bait stations work in a similar way. These stations are buried in the ground every 20 feet around the property. Inside each station is a cellulose-based bait infused with pesticide. Termites are drawn to this bait, much like candy, and take it back to their colony, ultimately wiping it out. For effective termite control and prevention, contact your Broken Arrow exterminator for assistance.
If you’re having trouble with termites, or any other pests, then it’s time to call a Broken Arrow Exterminator that can help you. Here at TermMax pest control, we are the best in the business when it comes to dealing with termites, or any other pests. We service the greater Tulsa area, including Broken Arrow, Coweta, Claremore, Catoosa, Owasso, Turley, Bixby, Jenks. Sand Springs, Sapulpa, Prattville, and so much more. Call today for a free estimate. We’re here to help!
