Educating yourself about the nature and patterns of termites is extremely important. Unlike with some other pests, a termite infestation isn’t immediately noticeable. They may be in soil or inside of your walls where you won’t see them right away. These bugs ruin wood, and it’s possible for them to impair the foundations of your home. When you finally notice evidence of termite damage, the situation could be incredibly difficult. You won’t be able to go without pest control in Annapolis.
Termites can cause catastrophic damage. An average of five billion dollars is spent every year in America on related repairs, and insurance coverage to alleviate potential costs isn’t widely available. Find out what the signs of termites inside your house are, so you can try to avoid the damage these insects can bring. Pest Czar can help.
How To Identify Termites And Their Damage
What some people don’t know is that there are three types of termites in one colony. Workers, as their name suggests, keep busy destroying wood. They are about 1/4 of an inch long and white. Soldiers will battle with other invading pests. Some of their characteristics are big mandibles and rectangular heads that are dark in color. Swarmers are to reproduce and prepare nests. Notably larger, the insects are half an inch long and are black or brown and have wings.
When active termites are around, there will be:
- Swarmers in the air
- Scattered shed swarmer wings
- Mud tubes
- Stacks of fecal frass, maze patterns, and termite holes
- Hollow-sounding foundations
- Rustling and clicking sounds from behind walls
- Paint that is chipping and bubbled
- Drywall that’s sagging and not the right color
- Loose tiles and squeaking floorboards
- Stiff window frames and doors
With such indicators, you’ll know for sure that you need professional help to handle termites.
The Extent Of Damage Termites Can Cause To Your Home
In the wake of a termite infestation, your flooring and walls may appear ruined by water or cracked. Termite damage being unsightly is the least of it, though. You should also be worried about foundations and ceilings collapsing, which is a real danger that many homeowners don’t think about or expect. Should your property become this vulnerable, you might have to plan to relocate to another residence. Restoring your former space will take a lot of money and patience.
Factors That Attract Termites To Your Home And How To Remove Them
There’s little doubt termites will find wood that’s easily accessible on the ground, so termites could be running along the exterior sides of your home. To prevent this, you can pull soil and mulch away from the foundation and put down gravel. Piles of logs or lumber boards are attractive to these pests, too, so make sure that these items are stored at least 20 feet from your home. Make sure that moisture issues, such as plumbing leaks, are addressed and a dehumidifier is used, as dampness can draw termites. You’ll need to close openings around the structure of your property, because these insects can come through them. Some additional steps to take include:
- Discard wood that is rotting.
- Add screens and sweeps to all outside-facing windows and doors.
- Regularly clean vents and gutters.
Making termite deterrence measures a part of your routine is crucial, but if you have or suspect existing termite activity, it’s time to call in the pros.
Call The Pros For The Best Termite Control And Protection
Store-bought termite treatments are too expensive to be as superficial as they are. DIY methods not only fail to address an entire infestation, but they can actually make the situation worse. At Pest Czar, we use the Sentricon System® With Always Active™ bait stations, a high-quality product made to eliminate colonies. Wood-Destroying Insect Reports (WDIR) for home buyers are available as well. Call today about a free inspection and a no-obligation quote. You can trust us to get rid of termites!