How to Look for Termite Damage
A single termite colony can cause thousands of dollars of damage to the average home. In severe cases, they can also endanger the integrity of your home, putting your household’s safety at risk. To reduce the chances of this happening, you need to learn how to look for termite damage.
Luckily, our experts are here to help. We’re going to go over some of the common warning signs of termite damage, along with some tips on how to prevent an infestation.
Signs of Termite Damage in Your Home
If there’s one good thing about termites, it’s that they leave a lot of evidence behind. This makes it very easy for you to figure out that you’re in danger of an infestation. We’ve gone over things like mud tubes and frass in past discussions, so today we’re going to concentrate specifically on the types of damage you might notice.
Damaged or Hollow Wood
Termites eat wood like it’s going out of style, so it doesn’t take long before you’re likely to find damaged wood. The most obvious telltale sign is a collection of sawdust on the floor. But very often, a homeowner will notice that part of a wall seems hollow. This is a common sign of termite activity, so go around and knock at various locations to find out.
Warped Doors or Windows
When termites eat the wood inside your doors or windows, it won’t take long before the wood gets warped. This causes problems with opening and closing. If you’ve noticed that either a door or window gets a bit stuck when you try to open it or is harder to close than it has been in the past, termites might be the cause.
Blistering in Your Flooring
No matter what type of flooring you have in your home—carpet, laminate, tile, etc.—there’s wood underneath. If termites start eating the wood beneath your flooring, it’s likely to cause blistering. You’ll often notice a visual change, but it may be something that you feel with your feet when you walk over it. Not many other things cause blistering in this way, so it’s probably time to call a professional.
Peeling or Bubbling Paint
Another common effect of termites eating the wood in your walls is that the paint will begin to peel or bubble up. This is actually one of the first things that a homeowner is likely to notice because it’s very obvious. If the paint is really old, it might not be termites, but you should definitely get it checked out just to be sure.
How to Prevent Termites in Your Home
The thought of a termite infestation is very scary, but it’s not too hard to prevent. All you need to do is pay attention and act quickly if you notice any warning signs. You now know how to look for termite damage, so let’s discuss a few effective prevention techniques:
Remove Wood from Your Yard
Although termites will see your home as a smorgasbord once they get there, it isn’t your house that will typically attract them. Very often, they’re first attracted to wood that’s in your yard. Then they’ll make their way to your house. Termites are most attracted to rotted wood, such as old tree stumps, but they also like branches, wooden structures, and firewood.
Minimize Outdoor Moisture
Just like any other insect, termites need a source of water for survival. If you have standing water after a rainfall, then you should clean it up right away. Also remember to move water structures a bit away from your house because if they’re too close, termites will easily be able to move from the water structure to your home undetected.
Trim Overhanging Limbs
Fallen branches can give termites a lot of sustenance, so you should avoid them as much as possible. This can become a real problem during the fall. Your best bet is to trim back overhanging limbs to reduce the number of fallen branches. Make sure that you keep your yard free of branches, leaves, dead grass, etc.
Professional Treatment
Termites must be taken seriously. If you find possible evidence of an infestation, then you need to call a pest control expert right away. The best strategy, though, is to schedule routine maintenance. Hiring a pest control company for an annual termite inspection will help prevent a termite infestation and/or keep a small problem from getting a lot worse.
Contact ProHealth Pest Control for Termite Control
ProHealth Pest Control can teach you how to look for termite damage and will eliminate all types of termites from your home, including drywood and subterranean termites. If you’re in need of a termite inspection or treatment or require any other pest control services, reach out to us at (727) 310-0521 today.
