Termites are arguably the biggest danger to homes, at least when it comes to pests. To give you a picture of just how destructive they are, Americans spend a collective $5 billion annually trying to recover from these bugs. Having professional pest control in Katy is critical to defending your residence.
A lot of people look for infestation clues when trying to figure out if pests are present. Evidence of termite damage isn’t always overt, so these insects can linger for a long time without being noticed. Moreover, they usually are within foundations or in soil, making them difficult to spot. Learn how to catch signs of termites inside your house and what you should do in case of an infestation.
Easy-To-Spot Signs Of Termites
First, it helps to know what active termites look like. Workers in colonies are often whitish and about 1/4 of an inch long. Their job is to eat wood and move materials. Soldiers have the responsibility of protecting them with their large mandibles. Swarmers are usually brown or black, around half an inch long, and have wings. It’s their assignment to procreate and form new nests. Look for the following to confirm an infestation:
- Swarmers flying around
- Finding the discarded wings of swarmers
- The presence of mud tubes on the exterior of structures
- Walls that sound hollow when you knock on them
- Hearing soft rustling from inside of foundations
- Paint flaking and blistering
- Drywall that is drooping and discolored
- Tiles becoming loose and floorboards creaking
- Doors and window frames being stuck or firm
Seek out All-Safe Pest & Termite for routine inspections to identify termites more quickly.
Termites Can Destroy The Structural Integrity Of Your Home
Termite damage can affect the aesthetics of your home. Unfortunately, that is the best-case scenario. In severe cases and over long periods of time, structural wood can become so weak that it collapses. It might become risky to remain in your home. If you decide to fix things, remember that the final costs are likely to be steep. Early detection of termites can mitigate these unfortunate outcomes.
Factors That Attract Termites To Your Home
If there is any wood touching the soil, termites will probably infiltrate it. That’s one reason why these insects are sometimes located near the corners of homes. Adding a layer of gravel around your home can help keep termites at bay. Also, be sure to elevate woodpiles and keep them a good distance away from your home. Wood that is deteriorated or broken should be removed, as well as rotting trees or stumps. Termites are very attracted to decaying wood. Organic debris is also appealing to them, so make sure it isn’t scattered around or stuck in gutters.
Moisture is another attracting factor for termites. You’ll want to have issues like leaks repaired right away and make sure your crawlspace is well-ventilated. Any cracks, crevices, or gaps in the exterior of your home should be sealed to keep termite swarmers out.
Call The Professionals At The First Sign Of Termites In Your Home
Termite treatments from stores are not very effective against infestations. The bugs move too far into walls for these products to be useful. Not to mention they are expensive and potentially hazardous with their chemicals. We at All-Safe Pest & Termite are the largest Sentricon® operator in the Western U.S. In addition, our powerful solutions include liquid spot applications, Termidor SC, and Termidor foam. Recurring, one-time, and pre-construction visits are available. You may be eligible for a warranty as well. Call today for a free estimate! Our technicians can get rid of termites!