Few pest problems are as dangerous and destructive as a termite infestation. The tiny insects cause millions of dollars in property damage every year, and it’s not uncommon for people to be unaware of an infestation until it’s too late. Here’s what you can do to spot the signs and protect your home or business with effective termite control.
What Do Termites Do?
Termites are similar to ants in that they form elaborate colonies that utilize a caste system in order to thrive. Populations include the workers that carve tunnels and gather wood, soldiers that defend the others, and reproductive alates, that breed in the thousands. Unlike ants, termites don’t forage for food, and they tend to stay out of sight. Termites eat the wood itself, so they don’t crawl around out in the open foraging for food like other insects.
Whether they are the subterranean or mound-building kind, termites tend to keep the evidence of their damage hidden. Often, people only spot termite damage when they happen to be making other repairs or additions to their property, meaning that many homeowners might have an infestation and not know it. That’s what makes early detection so crucial.
The Signs Of Termite Damage
Routine inspection of your property can help you find early warning signs of a termite infestation. Here’s what to listen and look for:
Drooping drywall: As termites hollow out the wood around heavy drywall, structures can no longer support the material, causing sections of a wall to droop or sag, a sure sign of pervasive termite damage.
Warped wood: Since the surface of wood will warp as its softer core gets hollowed out by termites, tight-fitting windows, doors, and buckling floorboards are also telltale signs of their activity.
Clicking sounds: It’s by no means common, but a property owner will occasionally get clued into termites by hearing a faint clicking noise coming from the walls. That’s the sound of soldier termites knocking their heads on hard surfaces to alert other termites of danger.
What Attracts Termites?
Depending on the variety of local termites you’re dealing with, they can be attracted to a wide range of environments. Mound-building termites need soft, dry, open spaces to build their intricate tunnels. Subterranean termites might prefer hard or soft woods, meaning they can be attracted to very different parts of your property.
In general, though, termites are attracted to the following areas:
Dark: Thanks to their subterranean lifestyle away from the sun’s light, termites are nearly blind and gravitate to dark areas, which is a big reason people rarely spot them.
Soil: Termites burrow underground or build mounds atop loose soil. As such, any area where soil touches the outside of a structure is simply beckoning termites inside.
Moisture: Termites, like many pests, are attracted to areas with ample moisture. Some termites specifically prefer damp or waterlogged woods. Proper drainage for your yard, as well as routine pipe maintenance, can help reduce this dampness.
Superior Help From Pest Pro
Since it can be so hard to tell if you have termites, it’s best to trust the experts regarding termite prevention and elimination. At Pest Pro Pest Control, our staff can provide thorough inspections of your property, helping determine if termite colonies are forming or are already mature. If problem signs are spotted, we’ll work with you to get rid of the infestation in a way that works with your schedule and budget. We are eager to answer any questions you might have and provide you with even more termite prevention tips.
Don’t let your home or business fall prey to damaging termites, act quickly, and contact Pest Pro Pest Control today.