Termites have a huge appetite! They can eat 24 hours a day/ 7 days a week! This means that damage to wood in and around your home can happen very quickly. The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) states that in 2015 termites caused over $5 billion in property damage each year. This is a staggering number as a lot of the damage goes undetected as most damage can be caused underground. But what is even more staggering, that termite damage is not covered under homeowner's insurance!
The good news is that with over 30 years experience in the Pest Control industry, with Bug Cops Pest Control, termites can be controlled!
How do I know that I have termites?
Signs of termites are the last thing you really want to find; but, let's face it - the earlier you see the signs of termites in or around your home and get them eradicated, the better off your investment will be. There are a few distinctive signs that homeowners can be on the look-out for:
- Swarms of Winged Insects: They look like flying ants. Reproductive termites ("swarms") take flight to start new colonies. Did you know that termites only need a crack of 1/64 of an inch to gain a hidden entrance into your home?
- Discard Wings: tiny, paper-like wings found on window sills, counter tops, floors, etc.
- Mud Tubers: Commonly found on the exterior wall of the foundation of your home, tubers act as a protective tunnels for termites. Tubers also provide moisture while the colony is scavenging.
- Hollow-Sounding Wood: Subterranean work from the inside of the wood. Destroyed wood is the hardest to find and is where most significant damage can be caused. When tapping on the wood and it sounds hollow - it may be that termites are eating from the inside out.
- Damage Inside Home: look for sagging ceiling, spongy-like floors, and
Honestly, by the time many of these common signs are noticeable, a colony could be well-established and damages may have started and the repairs may run into the thousands. If you do see them, call an exterminator! An established colony of termites can cause a lot of damage to any investment!
The best way to protect your investment is to get regular treatment and an inspection from a local pest control professional. Don't trust just anyone with your investment - trust Bug Cops Pest Control to get the job done for you.
Here are some things that the homeowner can do to help to prevent termites attacking:
- Keep
- Remove wood debris from around your foundation. Don't pile wood next to the house or in the garage.
- Keep roof and gutters in good condition. Sloped roofs and gutter leaks can pour rainfall onto the foundation. Fix any leaks that you may have.
- A/C condensation should drain away from your home.
- Dense vegetation around the foundation adds moisture that is an attractant to termites.
-
-
Keep mulch and landscaping away from the siding.
Keep irrigation away from the siding and the foundation.
Don't pile wood against the house or in the garage.
-
