5 Common Termite Myths

Despite their prevalence in Oklahoma, we find though talking with our customers that there are still a lot of misconceptions about termites floating around. Many of these misconceptions are potentially dangerous as well because they could lead to you being unprepared and blind-sighted by termite damage. These are five of the most common termite myths that we encounter:

1.Myth: Once termites have swarmed, they are gone and my home is not in any more danger.

Fact: termite swarms mean there is an active colony nearby. Though it may seem like there can’t be any termites left in the colony after they swarm, termite colonies can contain thousands of termites and a swarm is an indication that there is an active colony near enough to your home to put it in danger. Also, those swarmers went off to start new colonies. And since they can’t fly very far, that means those new colonies are near your home, too. So now you might have multiple termite colonies feasting on your house.

2.Myth: Termite damage is easy to see and I’ll notice the signs right away before they become a real problem.

Fact: termites are sneaky and you often don’t notice the signs of termite damage until they have become extensive and the damage is very costly to repair. Signs include sagging and bowing walls and extensive termite damage can lead to floors, walls, and ceilings collapsing. Termites will attack anything wood, which means your furniture, staircase, bookshelves, cabinets, and patio are all at risk as well.

3.Myth: My insurance will cover any termite damages that do occur, so I don’t need to worry about prevention.

Fact: most homeowner’s insurance policies actually don’t cover termite damages. Make sure to double-check with your insurance so you can be sure what actually is and is not covered by your policy. You don’t want to chance it and end up paying for expensive repairs out of pocket. Having previous termite damage will also make it harder for you to sell your house down the line. It’s much easier and cost-effective to prevent termite damage than to try and repair it later.

4.Myth: I can buy a DIY termite treatment online or at the hardware store to get rid of a termite colony on my property.

Fact: you can buy these products, but they won’t get rid of termites. Do you know how to identify an active colony from a former one? Or identify where the colony is located? And even if you do, these products will only kill some of the termites, not the entire colony. And the remaining termites will continue to feed on your home causing expensive damages you’ll have to repair later. Only The Sentricon® System can eliminate any and all termites from your property and ensure that no new termite colony will ever move in again later. No garden store treatment can do that.

5.Myth: I don’t actually need a termite protection system, because termites don’t cause as much damage as people say they do.

Fact: we wish this one were true, but we’ve seen first hand the destruction these little pests can cause. Did you know the average cost of termite repairs is $3,000? Many homeowners have to pay much more than that. And all of that money will likely come out of your pocket because, as we mentioned earlier, your homeowner’s insurance most likely does not cover termite damage. And seeing as 35 percent of single-family homes in the Tulsa area alone have experienced termite damage, this isn’t one that you want to leave up to chance.

If you have any other questions about termites, termite prevention or termite elimination, contact your Oklahoma termite experts at Emtec Pest Control by calling us or by filling out our online contact form. Our service areas in Northeast Oklahoma include Bixby, Broken Arrow, Catoosa, Owasso, Jenks, Sand Springs, Sapulpa, Skiatook, Stillwater, Tulsa, and the surrounding areas. In Central Oklahoma, we service Edmond, Moore, Oklahoma City, Yukon, and the surrounding areas. You can also connect with us on social media for more helpful pest control tips and information.