Termites may be little, but their damage to homes can be substantial. These microscopic pests may do extensive, costly damage as you sleep, and they do it by boring small holes in your home’s wooden framework. But how can you tell whether termites are a problem?
Since the warning indications of a termite infestation might be difficult to spot, it’s crucial to take preventative measures as early as possible.
This article will discuss the warning indications of a termite infestation and provide advice on how to prevent damage from these pests. If the thought of termites invading your home fills you with dread, read on.
How Do You Know If You Have Termites?
The damage that termites do to a home is often extensive before the infestation is discovered. Luckily, you can spot the indicators of termite infestation before it’s too late. The following are some warning signs:
Mud Tubes
Are a common indicator of a subterranean termite infestation. These termites construct mud tunnels to use as a cover while foraging for their preferred food source, wood or other cellulose-based materials, and their underground nests.
The tubes, which are composed of soil, wood particles, and saliva, can be located anywhere from the basement floor to the outside walls and crawl spaces of your home.
The average mud tube is about the diameter of a #2 pencil, and it can be either straight or curved. It’s critical to take immediate action if you see mud tubes in or near your property.
A professional pest control service will be able to determine the species of termite infestation and create a customised treatment strategy to exterminate the problem and prevent a recurrence.
Swarming Termites
To reproduce and start new colonies, swarming termites leave their nests in vast numbers. You might see a swarm of winged termites close to or even inside your home in the spring when they tend to swarm.
Swarming termites often congregate around sources of artificial illumination like windows and lamps. You could notice abandoned termite wings lying about your house after a swarm.
Swarming termites or shed wings are telltale signs of a nearby termite colony. Because even one termite colony may do so much damage over time, prompt action is essential to limiting the extent of the damage.
A licenced pest control service will be able to determine the species of termite infestation and devise an appropriate strategy for eradicating and preventing future infestations.
Termite Droppings
Frass is one of the symptoms of a dry wood termite infestation. Unlike their subterranean counterparts, dry wood termites may live and reproduce without ever coming into touch with the soil.
Frass produced by dry wood termites appears like little, hexagonal-shaped pellets when they digest the wood they eat. These pellets can be discovered near or beneath contaminated wood, and they are about the size of a grain of rice.
A dry wood termite infestation is indicated by the presence of pellets or frass. Drywood termites can do a lot of harm to your home if you don’t take care of the problem promptly.
A licenced pest control service will be able to determine the species of termite infestation and devise an appropriate strategy for eradicating and preventing future infestations.
Termite Wings
indicate the presence of a termite swarm. Termites with wings, also called swarmers or alates, emerge from their nests en masse during mating season to start new colonies.
The wingspan of a termite is almost twice its body length and is transparent or pale brown in hue. A common place to discover termite wings after a swarm is around windows and lights. The presence of a termite colony can be inferred from the presence of shed termite wings.
A single termite colony may do a lot of damage to your property over time, so it’s crucial to take preventative measures as soon as possible.
A professional pest control service can determine what kind of termite infestation you have and come up with a strategy to get rid of them and keep them from coming back. If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to act quickly to prevent further damage.
Is It Worth Getting A Pest Control Company?
If you suspect that you have a termite infestation, you may wonder if it’s worth getting a pest control company to come and inspect your home. Here are some reasons why hiring a pest control company may be a good idea
Professional Expertise
The ability of a pest management expert to recognise and eliminate termite infestations requires certain education, training, and experience.
A specialist in termite control should be well-versed in all aspects of termite biology, ecology, and management. A thorough understanding of termites, their life cycles, and the harm they can do to buildings is essential.
An experienced practitioner in the field of termite control will have knowledge of and training in a variety of treatment methods, including baiting systems, liquid treatments, and fumigation, and will be able to choose the most appropriate one for each specific case.
If you want to be sure the infestation is correctly diagnosed and treated, and that no further harm is done to your house or property, you should call a pest control expert that specialises in termite control.
Preventative Measures
In addition to treating an area for termites, a pest control company may also recommend preventative measures, such as setting up bait stations or using chemicals that are resistant to termites.
Eliminating moisture, keeping firewood stored away from the house, using treated wood, performing routine inspections, and employing a professional pest control service are all effective means of warding off termite infestations.
The likelihood of a termite infestation can be greatly diminished by adhering to these precautions. But, if you find termite damage or have any other reason to believe that you may already have termites, you must contact a professional pest control firm immediately.
Insurance
Termite damage is often not covered by a conventional homeowner’s policy. Termites and other pests are typically not covered by homeowners’ insurance. This implies that if termites do damage to your home, you will probably have to foot the bill yourself.
A supplemental termite insurance policy or endorsement may be available from some insurers to cover repairs caused by termites. If your home’s wood or other structural elements are destroyed, these plans may pay to restore or replace them.
If you want to know if your insurance policy covers termites and what its specifics are, you should call your provider. There may be restrictions or limitations on coverage in certain insurance policies, such as the need for routine termite inspections and treatment.
Time and effort
It might take a lot of time and effort to get rid of a termite infestation. Avoid the hassle of dealing with a pest infestation on your own by hiring a professional service.
The use of a professional pest control service is not without its drawbacks. Treatment can be pricey, and you might worry about the potential dangers of the chemicals being utilised.
The cost of treatment may be justified, however, if it prevents further damage to your house and is performed by a trustworthy pest control company using safe and effective methods.
Conclusion
Because of the extensive damage they may inflict, you must recognise the telltale indicators of a termite infestation as soon as possible. Hiring a pest control firm is a good idea if you think you have a termite problem so that the problem can be identified and eradicated effectively.
You may rest easy knowing your house is protected from termites thanks to a pest control company’s professional knowledge, preventative methods, insurance alternatives, and time-saving benefits.
In search of a termites specialist? Visit termite inspection services now!