Springtime in Baltimore brings new life. Birds begin to sing again. Trees regain their exuberant green leaves. Flowers sprout from the soil to spread their colorful pedals to the pollinators. Infants are delivered. The season is regenerative and hopeful.

But there are downsides to the spring season. For one insect pest, spring is when these harmful insects become more active. They deploy swarms from their colonies to find new places to live. That new place to live could be near your home or business. When these insects infiltrate your home or yard, they put your Baltimore property at risk.

You guessed it. The insects we’re referring to are termites.

Why Are Termites So Dangerous To My Baltimore Property?

Termites certainly don’t look dangerous. Measuring around 1/3 inch, they’re small and resemble a mix between an ant and a slug. Their oval-shaped bodies look translucent with cream or brown coloring. But don’t be fooled. These harmless-looking bugs cost US home and business owners over $5 billion a year!

There are over 2,000 species of termites with different jobs, reproductive habits, and favorite habitats. But they all have one thing in common; they like to eat wood. Termites have a voracious appetite for wood and can eat away at your property 24/7. They’re revered as “silent destroyers” because they can quietly cause serious damage for years without being noticed. Termites tunnel their way through framing, support joists, and anything else made of wood. Away from human detection, termites have an optimal lifestyle with plenty of moisture, food, and a safe place to make more termites! Property owners must keep a close eye out for signs of termites.

How Do I Know If I Have A Termite Problem?

There are a few tell-tale signs that may leave.

  • Sagging or dipping floors, walls, or ceilings: Termite damage can sometimes resemble water damage in areas of your home. If you notice sagging or dipping areas of your floors, walls, or ceilings, you might have a termite problem.
  • Frass, or sawdust-like particles, in piles: Drywood termites leave behind a substance called frass which looks like sawdust. Property owners can find them in piles outside of where termites have tunneled in wood.
  • Tight-fitting doors and windows: Frass, or termite excrement, can accumulate near doors and windows creating a barrier to air circulation. Over time, the wood will expand as moisture is trapped inside the wood causing it to swell. When areas around doors and windows swell, they become more difficult to open, which might signal the presence of termites.
  • Soft clicking noises from the walls: When termite soldiers detect danger, they sometimes bang their heads on tunnel walls to alert other termites. This noise sounds like a faint clicking behind your walls. If you hear this, it’s time to call in the professionals.

Keeping Termites Out With Three Prevention Tips

If you want to reduce your chances of incurring a termite infestation, Pest Czar has three prevention tips to help property owners defend their investment.

  • Professional protection: Want peace of mind? A professional protection plan from Pest Czar can help keep your home safe from pests such as termites.
  • Avoid soil-to-wood contact around the foundation of your home: Professionals suggest that this is the most common point of entry for termites. Termites come up from the ground and infiltrate a home by tunneling through exposed wood near the foundation of the structure. You can decrease this likelihood by covering exposed wood with concrete or metal.
  • Store firewood away from your home and off the ground: Except for dry wood termites, most termites prefer moist wood, which helps them digest it. Outside, firewood is a perfectly moist meal for termites. Unfortunately, this wood is typically transported inside where it exposes your home to infestation. Keep woodpiles at least 25 feet from your house. Use cinder blocks or concrete platforms to keep the wood off the ground. And keep it dry.

If you see signs of a termite infestation, don’t waste your time or money on DIY methods that will not work to totally eradicate a termite infestation. Call the professionals right away. When you choose a pest control company, choose Pest Czar. Our licensed providers guarantee they will rid your home of termites and keep your property safe from further termite damage. Reach out to us today. We can help!