Kill the Queen
Termites infest over 5 million homes in the U.S. every year and cause over 5 billion dollars in property damage annually. Termites cause more damage annually than all natural disasters. However, this damage is rarely covered by homeowners insurance.
Knowing the signs of termites can prevent you from costly damage later on. Due to their secretive behaviors, termites can live in walls and doors for many years before being spotted.
They are the silent destroyers of your home. Did you know that they are in every state...except Alaska?
What are the signs of termites in my home or business?
While termites are hard to spot on your own, knowing common termite signs can help you take action in calling an exterminator. Explore the following signs:
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Termite Droppings: a termites feces also known as frass can be a sign of termites near your home. The termite droppings resemble sawdust due to the amount of wood the termites consume.
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Swarmings: The name for large swarms of winged termites that emerge from the nest in spring in search of a mate. Usually the swarms will fly around the property close to their nesting site.
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Mud Tubes: The highway system for termites to get from one point to another. Termites use mud and saliva to build the tubes to travel from soil to wood.
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Hollowed Wood: If you are inspecting your home for termites, finding hollow beams and other structures around your home is dangerous. If you hear a hollow sounds when tapped, call a professional immediately. Even if the exterior wood shows no signs, termites can produce tremendous amounts of unseen damage.
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Damaged Wood or Galleries: Termite galleries are small holes running along the grain of the wood to allow for easy movement for the termites. If you find damaged wood in your home, it is more than likely you have a termite infestation. Calling a professional is crucial if you are suspecting termites because examining termite galleries can be difficult for those not trained.
Do you have any prevention tips?
Here are some methods to prevent termite damage:
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Access: Termites are determined creatures that can enter your home in a variety of ways and through cracks smaller than 1/32nd of an inch. To prevent your home from termite infestations seal gaps around water and gas lines that may be excellent entry points. In addition, avoid deck posts extending beneath the soil grade. Subterranean termites follow the wood. Eliminating wood-to-ground contact can reduce the termite highways into your home. We suggest 2-4 inches of building foundation to extend above the soil grade so the brick and other siding does not come into contact with the soil.
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Food Source: Similar to other pests, termites are motivated by food. And in this case their source of food is wood, often found throughout a home’s structure and exterior design. To prevent termites it is crucial to remove excess wood material from your home rather than storing it in crawl spaces such as attics or basements. In addition, our experts advise removing cellulose or wood materials from around the exterior of your home. Whether it is mulch, woodpiles, landscape timbers, foam board or wood scraps, termites find these areas to be great ways into the rest of your home. If you are concerned about your landscape, call an expert to evaluate.
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Moisture: To successfully build tunnel networks, termites seek damp, moist ground. Prevent termites from colonizing your home by taking action on areas with moisture problems. Whether it is fixing leaky plumbing, gutters, air conditioning systems, or spigots, controlling the moisture of the ground around your home can save you thousands of dollars in termite damage. In addition, prevent water from pooling around the foundation of your home or building by creating drainage systems that move the water away from your property. Not sure if your water systems are leaking and creating ideal environments for termites? No worries, call the experts for a termite consultation today.
NO MATTER how many preventative measures you take, sometimes infestations cannot be stopped. In that case, call an expert.