Frisco homeowners generally believe their new homes are protected from termite damage. I mean, after all, newer construction equals modern building materials and updated methods for keeping pests out, right? The feeling of security is deceptive! And even houses constructed in the last five years, in Frisco’s exploding communities, are not immune to actual termite threats.
As the city has grown quickly, issuing more than 8,000 new housing permits in recent years, that lush environment has attracted termites. Construction disturbs the insects’ current colonies, so they head toward bright new wood in your shiny house. If you see dirt tubes, wood that sounds hollow, or discarded wings by windows, do not wait. A professional pest control company like Saela Pest Control can help to evaluate the extent of the issue before a simple problem becomes an expensive disaster.
The “New Home” Myth: Why Even Modern Builds Aren’t Immune
- Treated Lumber Does Not Last Forever
The great majority of new homes in Frisco are built with pre-treated lumber that is intended to resist termite damage. However, this protection is not permanent. The types of chemical treatments used during production generally have a useful life of 5-10 years, depending on exposure.
- Construction Debris Attracts Colonies
Construction sites deposit wood crumbs, torn-up cardboard, and cellulose materials beneath your lawn. Contractors may be able to clear visible debris, but underground, it remains a termite smorgasbord. These secret baits lure colonies towards your foundation, and before you know it, they find the main building. The Frisco homeowners do not realize all that is left of the construction that has fed termite populations beneath their house and just feet from their walls.
- Gaps in Modern Building Practices
Small mistakes can happen, even when building codes are written to keep pests out. Holes for utilities, poor grading that collects water near foundations, or gaps in expansion joint sealant all offer entry. Termites can enter your home through a 1/32-inch crack, which is about the thickness of a credit card. Just because something is new does not always mean it is properly constructed, and those tiny weaknesses are all termites require.
- Landscaping Choices Create Problems
New subdivisions in Frisco come with fresh sod, mulch beds, and decorative wood features. Not only do they add a touch of curb appeal, but they also bring moisture and cellulose smack up against your foundation. Mulch holds water and food, making it an ideal termite habitat just inches from your home. That lush landscaping package with your latest build? It could be ringing the dinner bell for subterranean termites.
Why Termites Love Frisco’s Newer Neighborhoods
Frisco’s rapid expansion has brought housing developments to former ranch land, but the area is experiencing growing pains with termite issues. The city’s population grew from about 116,000 in 2010 to more than 200,000 residents today as neighborhoods like Willow Wood and Phillips Creek Ranch sprang up. When gold tooth workers remove native landscapes and churn soil, they are essentially evicting termite colonies that have occupied those plots for generations.
Frisco’s ubiquitous predominantly clay soil is a challenge, too. This is very moist soil, and termites need moisture to live. In the wake of Texas storms, water lingers in the earth, sustaining wet conditions that subterranean termites need. Add to that irrigation systems keeping lawns verdant in hot summers, and you have year-round moisture conditions conducive to healthy termite populations.
When to Call a Professional
Early detection of termites leads to minor treatment and not a major structural repair. If you see mud tubes running up the foundation, the wood sounds hollow when you tap it (like baseboards), or there are little piles of what looks like sawdust around your wood structure, it is time to get the pros in. Wings discarded by doors and windows in spring months indicate that swarmers are setting up new colonies nearby, perhaps inside your walls.
Saela Pest Removal protects the Frisco region with complete termite inspections and treatments adjusted for North Texas. They know how local soil conditions, climate, and construction techniques impact termite activity in newer developments.
