Termites: The Unseen Home Invaders
The arrival of a beautiful spring season brings a newness of life which can often mean unwanted pests. Many of these pests take refuge in and around your home during winter months and go unnoticed until you begin spring cleaning or when reproductive swarmers show up. Today we are here to tell you about one of the pests you might encounter this spring, termites. As a homeowner, it is important to familiarize yourself with possible intruding pests and know what attracts them.
Termites Love Wood
Termites are small, yet destructive pests considered to be “wood destroying organisms.” They feast on wood 24/seven and some large colony species can cause extensive damage to your home if not caught early enough. If prevention is no longer an option extensive damage can often be avoided when termites are addressed early and treated by a professional.
There are many reasons why termites are drawn to a certain property. One of the main attractions for termites is wood that is old or deteriorating. This may be in the form of an old tree stump in your yard or even firewood that has been sitting against your home for months. If you have a wood pile it is wise to store the wood away from structures. Besides termites other wood destroying insects like carpenter ants are often found in wood piles.
Moisture Attracts Termites
Another thing that may attract termites is moisture, especially standing water or soil that is in contact with wood. Termites love damp, humid environments. Make sure to check for any leaks around your home’s foundation and repair them immediately. If you have any puddles forming near your home, be sure to fill them in or redirect the water away from your property. As professionals we refer to these as “conducive conditions”
Termites often swarm in the springtime. This is when you are most likely to see them flying around your property. Generally speaking only mature colonies send out swarming reproductive termites so if you find them swarming from inside your home the colony is likely well established. If you do notice termites, don’t try to handle the problem yourself! Some over the counter products will only move infesting termites in the structure giving a false sense of elimination only to have them swarm again next year after the colony has grown and feasted on your home for an entire year. It is best to contact a professional pest control company right away.
Termite Prevention Tips
- Remove excess wood surrounding your home
- Check for leaks around your foundation and repair them immediately
- Fill in or redirect puddles near your home
- Correct or avoid wood to soil
- Ensure soil grade is not too high
- Contact a professional pest control company if you suspect an infestation.
If you follow these simple termite prevention tips, you can help keep these pests from invading your home! For more information or to schedule a free inspection
Signs to Call a Professional
There are many signs of a subterranean termite infestation. Some things you may notice are:
- Mud tunnels on the exterior of your home
- Swarms of insects around your property
- Cracks in walls or floors with mud present
- Buckling paint with mud behind it
- Wood that sounds hollow when tapped
If you notice any of these signs, it is important to contact a professional pest control company like Angel Pest Control.
