Termites in Missouri: Identification, Treatment, & Prevention
Termites are a big problem for homeowners in Missouri. These social insects silently chew through wooden structures, causing thousands of dollars in termite damage before you even realize they’re there.
Whether you live in St. Louis, Kansas City, or a smaller town, knowing how to spot termites, treat infestations, and prevent future damage can help protect your new home or existing property.
Key Takeaways
- Eastern subterranean termites are the most common in Missouri and travel through mud tubes to reach wood.
- Signs of termites include mud tubes, hollow wood, discarded wings, and droppings inside walls or near foundations.
- Pest control professionals use inspections, bait stations, liquid treatments, and direct wood treatments to get rid of termites.
- Preventing termites means fixing moisture problems, keeping wood away from your home, and sealing cracks.
How to Identify Termites in Missouri
While there are over 2,000 species of termites worldwide, the most common in Missouri is the eastern subterranean termite.
They live in the soil and build mud tubes to travel safely from their underground termite colonies to a food source, such as wood in your home.
Their life cycle includes different stages:
| Stages in the Life Cycle | Description |
|---|---|
| Egg | Laid by the queen, hatches into larvae. |
| Larvae | Young nymphs that molt several times. |
| Nymphs | Develops into different castes. |
| Adult | Fully developed as either a worker, soldier, or reproductive. |
Unlike ants, termites have straight antennae, and their mandibles help them chew through wood easily.
Signs of a Termite Infestation
Termites work out of sight, so it’s important to know the warning signs of an infestation:
- Mud Tubes – Tiny dirt tunnels on walls, foundations, or crawl spaces that termites use for travel.
- Hollow-Sounding Wood – Termites eat wood from the inside, leaving it weak and empty.
- Discarded Wings – Swarmers shed their wings after finding a place to start a new colony.
- Droppings – While drywood termites leave visible waste, subterranean termites keep their tunnels clean.
How to Get Rid of Termites in Missouri
If you have termite activity, fast action is key. Here’s how pest control companies handle infestations:
Termite Inspection
A professional termite inspection can confirm whether these wood-eating pests are present, how bad the problem is, and the best way to treat it.
Bait Stations
These contain cellulose, a food source termites love. The bait is combined with a slow-acting solution that they take back to their colony, eventually eliminating it.
Liquid Termite Treatment
A liquid treatment is applied around the home to create a protective barrier that kills termites when they touch it.
Direct Wood Treatment
If termites are already inside your home, special treatments can be applied directly to wooden structures to stop them.
How to Prevent a Termite Infestation in Missouri
Taking steps to prevent these pests is easier and cheaper than dealing with an infestation. Here’s how to avoid a termite problem:
Reduce Moisture
Termites thrive in damp areas, so fixing leaky pipes and clogged gutters can help keep them away. Make sure your yard drains properly. Standing water near your foundation creates the perfect home for them.
Remove Food Sources
Since termites eat cellulose, keeping firewood at least 15 feet from your home can reduce the risk of an infestation.
If your deck or fence has rotting wood, replacing it with treated wood makes it less attractive to these pests.
Seal Entry Points
Tiny cracks in crawl spaces, walls, and foundations can let termites in, so sealing them up is a smart move.
Adding screens over vents and windows can also help keep swarmers from finding their way inside.
Get Regular Pest Control Services
A pest control company can inspect your home yearly to catch termites before they cause damage.
Protect Your Missouri Home from Termites
At Miller Pest & Termite, we know how destructive all types of termites can be.
Whether you’re in St. Louis, Kansas City, or anywhere in Missouri, our termite control services include thorough inspections, effective bait stations, liquid treatments, and preventive solutions to keep your home safe.
If you’ve spotted mud tubes, swarmers, or signs of termite damage, don’t wait.
Call us now to schedule a termite inspection, and our exterminators will take care of the problem before it gets worse.
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