Categories Home Inspection, Pest Control

9 Ways to Keep Termites Out of Your Home

Termites

The average termite repair costs a homeowner $3,000, that’s an amount that could easily damage a family’s savings and bring on unnecessary stress.

Termites are absolutely an issue you don’t want to (and can’t) ignore, we’ve talked about how to look for a potential termite problem, but today we are going to give you some ideas to prevent the problem from ever occurring.

The Scary Truth

Avoiding termites at all costs should be your goal, while getting an exterminator or buying poisons may seem like a simple solution dealing with termites is without a doubt a nightmare.

A single termite colony can be made up of between 300,000 to one million “workers.” In addition, one termite queen can lay thousands of eggs per day and live 30-50 years.

In just six months serious structural damage can occur, and in only two years a home can be destroyed by these pesky invaders.

If these numbers seem startling to you, that’s because they are! The best solution to a termite problem is never to have one.

What You Can Do

Once you’re sure you don’t already have an infestation, don’t waste time in termite proofing your home.

 

  1. Regular Check-Ups: Why skimp on something that can only benefit your biggest investment, your home? We do a full WDI (Wood-Destroying Insect) inspection and offer a 90 day warranty.

 

  1. Watch Your Roof: Repair broken tiles and check for damp areas which create moisture that may attract termites.

 

  1. Be Mindful of your A/C: Keep your air conditioning unit‘s moisture release away from your home’s foundation.

 

  1. Declutter: Cardboard boxes full of papers and old photos, especially in the attic, are a food source for termites. An easy fix is to swap your cardboard for plastic boxes. If you store things in your garage keep items away from the walls, otherwise termites now have a direct route into your home.

 

  1. Foolproof Floors: Place a termite barrier when building a new home if you have wooden floors and be sure to monitor any potential termite damage regularly.

 

  1. Furniture Placement: If you have wooden furniture, keep it away from walls and consider making the switch to another material, like metal.

 

  1. Shut the Front Door: For that matter, keep all doors and windows closed during swarming season. Swarming season occurs in the spring when termites with wings (swarmers) like to come out.

 

  1. Clear the Yard: Avoid burying waste lumber or letting decaying vegetation pile up, g., fallen branches, roots from plants, and scrap wood.

 

  1. Restrict Wood to Ground Contact: Use concrete supports to raise wooden beams, like those for decks, patios, fence posts, etc., off of the ground. Termite-resistant and treated fence posts are a possibility if you don’t want to use a material other than wood.

 

While these tips are an excellent strategy in preventing termites, regular check-ups will be necessary. If you’re serious about dodging this nightmare, then you must be proactive.

We Can Help

Call us today and let our team of pros put your mind at ease.

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Categories Pest Control

8 Signs You Might Have Termites

termites

When it comes to termites, no one is safe. Nationwide, termites inflict an estimated $5 billion in damages per year.

The trick is early detection and knowing what to look for. With the right eye, you can avoid costly damages to your home and property; minimizing or avoiding the problem will only incur higher costs and further damage.

The first thing to understand is termites are not limited to a particular time of year or season— they’re a year-round nuisance.

Termites are sneaky, secretive and can live in your home for years without detection; spotting them can be challenging, so it’s important to know what to look for.

1. Swarmers

During the spring, termite colonies are prone to producing “Swarmers.” The small flying insect can be seen flying near your windows and leaving behind their “discarded” wings.

Typically spotted during the day time, Swarmers are an unfriendly reminder termites are present.

2. Floor Damage

Don’t be fooled– termites can damage laminate floors, as well as they can wood. Check for excessive blistering or sagging spots in your floor.

If a particular area feels “spongy” or “springy,” remove the floorboard to investigate further.

3. Wall Damage

A termite favorite is the cellulose found in timber– making your walls an especially tasty snack.

Check your walls for odd or unexplained cracks, as it may be a sign of an unseen termite colony.

4. Ceiling Damage

Wooden structures in the ceilings, beams, rafters or attic are all fair game for termites. As with your walls, check for cracks in the ceiling, corners and molding.

5. Sticking Doors and Windows

Termites like to tunnel and eat their way through doors and frames. As a consequence, doors or windows may become hard open or begin to “stick,” as the structure becomes misshapen and irregular.

6. Garden Damage

Outdoor structures such as your porch, deck, swing set, fence, wooden posts or trees could be at risk, especially as they’re exposed to greater moisture.

Treat your outdoor space, the same as you would your home– check for cracks, “spongy” or “springy” texture and excessive signs of decay. If gone untreated, termites could lead to collapse.

7. Damaged Roof Tiles

Damaged or waterlogged roof tiles are a prime termite gateway into your home. Termites are easily able to maneuver their way through even the tiniest of cracks and make themselves at home.

To avoid, have your roof inspected and replace any damaged, cracked or waterlogged tiles, right away.

8. Frass

Also known as termite droppings, frass is a clear sign of a colony. While droppings cause no harm, they’re an obvious indicator of termite eating. Frass is powdery and light in appearance, very similar to sawdust.

We Can Help!

Already noticed one or a few signs of termite damage in your home? Schedule a professional Termite Inspection with our knowledgeable team.

We guarantee an inspection of your home within 48 hours of calling– AND we’re open 7 days a week!

Schedule your inspection now or give us a call at 469.818.5500.

Image attribution: https://pixabay.com/en/animal-insect-termite-1299394/