Your home insurance policy will not cover termite damage, so the only way to protect your home is through intervention. You’ll need to know your termite basics: how to identify an infestation, when to expect a swarm, and what to do if you discover termites in your home.

New Mexico is located in Termite Infestation Probability Zone #2, which means there is a significant risk for termite damage. That’s why the

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How to tell if you have a termite infestation

Termites damage 600,000 homes in the United States per year because they eat the wood from within. They can cause damage for months before you realize you have a termite problem.

Knowing the early warning signs of a termite infestation is key to preventing serious termite damage. Call a termite control professional immediately if you notice these telltale signs:

Blistered floors. These areas on your floor are signal termites are feeding on your floors or subfloors. Your wood flooring may feel spongy or look as if it has water damage.

Mud tubes. Subterranean termites create pencil-sized tunnels to protect themselves while traveling from their home to yours. You’ll find mud tubes around termite nests, wood structures, and your home’s foundation.

Discarded wings. Termites fly in swarms when they leave the nest and drop their wings before moving in. Check your window sills for discarded wings and termite droppings.

Hollow-sounding walls. Routinely knock on your walls, floorboards, and other wood structures in your home. If there is a hollow sound, you likely have a termite infestation.

Other common signs of a termite infestation include droppings, peeling paint, wallpaper that appears water damaged, and tiny holes in your drywall.

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Are termites a problem in New Mexico?

Termites are active and widespread across the state of New Mexico. Most of the state is located in Termite Infestation Probability Zone #2, which means there is significant potential for termite damage.

If you are a homeowner in New Mexico, you need to be able to identify termites to create a control plan. Here are the two most common types of termites in New Mexico and when they swarm:

Subterranean termites

Subterranean termites live in colonies and build their nests underground. Worker termites construct tunnels made of mud and saliva that span a 100-yard radius from their colony nest to search for a food source. They’ll cause damage rapidly and the only evidence they leave behind are the mud tunnels on your foundation.

There are two types of subterranean termites found in New Mexico, each with different swarming times. Eastern subterranean termites swarm during the day from March to May, while Arid subterranean termites swarm during the spring and fall.

Drywood termites

These termites love drywood, as their name suggests, and are easily transported through travel and commerce. Drywood termites cause extensive damage because they require little moisture to survive and form multiple colonies in your home.

Drywood termites swarm year-round, so look for droppings and discarded wings on your windowsill.

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What to do if you have termites

Immediately call a termite specialist after you spot signs of termite infestation to arrange for a thorough inspection and formulate a treatment and control program.

Termite treatment options will vary depending on the type of termites you have and the severity of the infestation. Your termite control program will include one or more of these professional treatment methods:

Bait systems: Stations will be placed around your property to lure termites away from your home, and the worker termites will carry the agent back to their nest. This method uses a control agent to kill moderate termite infestations.

Liquid and foam barriers: The perimeter of your home will be treated with a liquid or foam control agent to create a barrier that kills termites on contact. The exterminator will use this method to control a subterranean termite infestation.

Fumigation: Cases of serious infestation and drywood termites call for fumigation. A pest professional will tent your entire property and use a fumigant to penetrate all the surfaces in your home to kill the termites and any other pests.

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You should not attempt natural or do-it-yourself termite solutions as they’ll likely cause termites to move and damage other areas. Eastern subterranean will secretly leave the disturbed location and move throughout your home.

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FAQs

Do most homes in New Mexico have termites?

New Mexico is located in Termite Infestation Probability Zone #2, so there is significant potential for termite damage.

How often should you treat for termites in New Mexico?

The rate at which you treat your home for termites depends on the treatment method you use and your control plan. You should re-treat every five years for liquid termite treatments and monitor bait stations every few months.

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