Why Do You Have a Termite Issue on Your Property?

Termites are small insects; however, they can cause plenty of damage to any wooden structure. Sadly, your home can be a target for these pests. If you are concerned about having termites on your property, you should have a pest control professional inspect your home thoroughly. Once detected, the professional can employ the best treatment method to eliminate the entire colony of termites on your property.

Addressing termite issues is crucial, but it’s also important to keep your home clean from the ground up. Consider enhancing your home’s hygiene with professional carpet cleaning services.

Why Termites Are on Your Property

Termites can attack your home or property due to the following reasons:

• Moisture. Termites might infest your home due to the presence of moisture, which most of them need to survive. Indeed, these pests thrive in moisture-rich environments. Often, they usually breed in water-damaged wood. Leaky pipes, overflowing air conditioning units, and clogged gutters can lead to moisture damage to your home’s foundation and wooden beams. Leak-susceptible areas in your house like the bathroom or kitchen can offer sufficient moisture to drawn termites. You can prevent an infestation by ensuring water does not accumulate around your property. Regularly check your pipes and HVAC systems and get any issues repaired right away. Also, ensure your house has proper ventilation, drainage, and sunlight to prevent termite issues.
• Wood. Termites eat wood to get cellulose. Your home’s wooden structures like walls, floorboards, and roofing are possible targets for these insects. Wooden structures that are in contact with the soil can draw termites. The same goes for structures in areas that have high moisture or humidity levels. Also, woodpiles and stacks can attract termites. So, make sure you store them 20 feet away from your house. Keep them elevated by using a metal stand or rack.
• Openings. Termites are tiny, so they can easily make their way into your house through cracks and gaps in doors, windows, walls, and foundations. When Subterranean termites are in your house, they build mud tubes to protect themselves. To prevent entry, seal all entry points and make sure all vents are screened properly.
• Plants and trees. Too many bushes and shrubs can offer termites an easy pathway to your house. Overgrown shrubs and trees tough your home’s sides, which makes it easy for these insects to climb in. Thus, any excessive foliage should be trimmed regularly.

Detecting the Presence of Termites

Termites are sneaky, destructive creatures that can invade your house. To know if you have a termite issue, look for swarmers or winged termites. These swarming termites leave their colony to mate and begin a new colony. Spotting these swarmers flying around close to your house means you have a termite issue. Often, this occurs during the spring and early summer. The presence of these swarmers indicates the presence of a nearby colony.

In addition, you can also determine if termites are in your house if you can find droppings. Drywood termites, in particular, produce small, wood-colored pellets. You can find them near termite galleries or feeding sites. Also, you must look for mud tubes that subterranean termites produce. These tubes are made using soil termite saliva, and wood particles. They can be found along your home’s foundation, on floors, freestanding, or walls.