Have you ever wondered what a termite looks like? You would not be the first. Termites are one of the least seen pests in the insect world. They aren’t shy, or really really small. They just can’t wander around like other pests can. In fact, if a worker termite spends too much time in the open air, it will dry out and die. To combat this, termites stay deep underground or inside water-damaged wood where they can keep their skin properly hydrated. This is why you may never see a worker termite, even if you look really hard. That being said, there are still some ways you can identify termites inside your Baltimore home. Curious to know-how. Let’s jump right in.

How A Termite Caste System Works

Within each termite colony is a caste system comprised of workers, soldiers, and reproductives. Each termite has its own role to fill.

  • Workers are in charge of food gathering. If you didn’t know, a termite’s main source of food is cellulose, the main component in wood.
  • Soldier termites are tasked with defending the colony from foreign invaders and potentially dangerous entities. They take their jobs very seriously.
  • Reproductive termites, that can also be termite swarmers, are in charge of reproduction as well as colony expansion. Unlike workers, these termites can survive out in the open air.

How To Spot Termites In Your Home

The best way to spot termites in your home is to literally spot termites in your home. If you see termite swarmers flying around, it is almost certain that a fully mature termite colony is nearby, and most likely already eating away at your home. This is a problem.

How can you know if termites are around before their colony becomes mature? Good question. Here are a few warning signs you can look for around your home to detect termites early.

  • Soft clicking noises coming from inside your walls
  • Mud tubes running up your home’s exterior foundation
  • Hollow-sounding structural wood
  • Frass (sawdust-like termite droppings) under damaged pieces of wood
  • Tight-fitting doors and windows

We also recommend keeping your ear out for termite stories in the neighborhood. If the nice lady across the street is dealing with termites, it means your home is at risk.

How To Remedy Factors That Attract Termites

The number one factor that attracts termites is water-damaged wood. To combat termites, here are some things we recommend that you do.

  • Replace or repair water-damaged wood in your home.
  • Fix leaky pipes and eliminate standing water sources that could be affecting your home’s wood.
  • Install dehumidifiers in particularly humid areas around your home.
  • Make sure your gutters are in good working order.
  • Create a non-wood barrier between exterior soil and the structural wood of your home.
  • Clean your yard of natural debris such as sticks and fallen leaves.
  • Store firewood at least 30 feet from the exterior of your home.

What To Do If You Suspect Your Home Has Termites

If you suspect your home is up against a termite infestation, your best move is to get the professionals here at Pest Czar involved. We can put in place a line of defense that will not only eliminate any current wood-eating pests but also deter any future termites from nibbling on your property. If you are unsure if your home has termites or not, we also offer quality inspections.

Whatever your pest need is, we have your best answer here with Pest Czar. Give us a call today for more details.