Termites: An Overview Of A Harmful Animal That Could Destroy Your Home

Termites are one of the most common pests found in North America, but they may also be a major problem for your home. Read on to learn about how termites can make themselves at home without any warning and how you can protect your home from them with the help of a professional termite control expert.

What are termites?

Termites are small, reddish-brown insect that lives in colonies. Colonies of termites can be found underground in soil and other organic materials. Termites feed on wood and other organic material, which means they can damage homes if they’re not treated properly.

Termite Damage

Termites cause serious damage to homes by chewing through wood beams and joists, eating away insulation and plumbing, and destroying drywall and flooring. If left untreated, termite damage can lead to structural failure and even loss of the home.

How Do You Get Rid Of Termites?

There’s no one guaranteed method for getting rid of termites, but several steps can help prevent them from damaging your home. Putting up a barrier around the perimeter of the home using wire mesh or an electronic fence is one way to prevent access by the termites. Seal any cracks in the foundation or walls with caulk or spackling compound, and seal all penetrations (including windows and doors) with weatherproofing. Regularly check for signs of termite activity (chewing patterns in wood, tunnels in the soil) and take appropriate action if there are any detected.

Where do they live?

Termites live in the soil beneath the earth’s surface. They are attracted to moisture and food sources.

How do they spread their infestation?

Termites can spread their infestation by leaving dirt trails behind as they travel between colonies. They also can spread their infestation by eating wood that is already infested with termites.

How do they reproduce?

Termites are a type of wood-eating insect. They live in colonies and use their antennae to find food. Females create holes in the ground with their mandibles and lay eggs. The eggs hatch into nymphs that feed on the wood under the colony. Older termites leave the colony and start new colonies nearby. Termites can reproduce through winged reproductives called alates.

What are the signs of termite infestation?

Termites are small, brownish-black insects that live in colonies of up to 25,000 workers. They are solitary creatures that feed on wood and other organic matter.

Termites build their nests by chewing a hole in the ground and then filling it with mud, grass, and abandoned wood. After a termite colony has been established, it is often difficult to detect before damage has been done. The following are some signs that you may have termites:

-Shifting or cracked walls or ceilings

-Unexplained gaps in the flooring or roofing

-Crowded areas inside the home (particularly in the attic and basement)

-Strange smells

-Thin wooden slats on doors and windows

How to prevent and control a termite infestation

Termites are an animal that lives in the soil and feeds on wood. They are harmful animals because they can destroy your home if you have an infestation. There are ways to prevent and control a termite infestation.

How much is termite protection worth?

Termites are destructive and harmful animals that can destroy your home. Depending on the severity of the damage, termite protection may be worth the cost. However, before you buy termite protection, make sure to consult with an exterminator to get an accurate estimate of the damage and required repairs.

What to Do If You Find Termites?

Termites are one of the common pests that can wreak havoc in your house. They can enter your home via holes and gaps, making them even more dangerous. It is understandable that a home is one of the biggest investments and wanting to protect it from termites is an excellent idea. However, to proceed with the plan of eradication, you need to know what to do.

Found termites? Now, what must you do?

Now that you have spotted termites, you need to follow a series of steps in order to get rid of them. Keep in mind that wishing them away won’t actually keep them from invading your house. You will have to adopt active measures to eliminate the termites. Take a look at the tips that you can follow –

  • Verify the termite infestation

Firstly, you need to re-confirm that you have a termite infestation. However, it can also be a case of some termites gaining entry. In that case, you can spot-kill them right away in order to prevent the infestation from occurring. For this, you will need to inspect the external surface of your property. Then, make sure that you seal all the entry points. That is the only way to make sure that the termites cannot enter your home.

However, if you notice numerous termites, it means that you have an infestation. Some of the most common signs include the scattered wings of the termites. You will find them on air vents, windows doors, etc. The shredded wings are an indicator that the termite infestation is increasing. Other signs include droppings, cracked wood, and clicking sounds within woods and walls.

  • Identify the termite type

Now that you know that you have a termite infestation, you need to determine the type. This is particularly essential if you want to conduct the pest removal process yourself. There are mainly two types of termites – subterranean and drywood. The subterranean termites are mostly found in coastal areas. Moreover, they are also present in both wood and soil. However, drywood termites can be found anywhere and mainly are found within woods.

It is vital to understand the termite type so that you can opt for the right termite treatment. Choosing the wrong one will not help you eradicate these pests. In fact, you will need to repeat the process again, leading to wastage of time and money.

  • Get rid of the termites via DIY methods

After the identification of termites, you must proceed with the removal process. There are numerous DIY methods that you can adopt to get rid of these pesky creatures. For instance, you can drag the wood items towards sunlight. Here, it is vital to note that termites live in dark regions. They cannot survive in sunlight, and the excess heat will ultimately kill them. You need to keep the wood items in the presence of sunlight for at least 2-3 days. If sunlight is not an option, the other viable alternative is freezing cold. You must keep them in the freezer for 2-3 days to kill the termites.

Another method that you can use is the cardboard hack. In this process, you need to take wet cardboard pieces and then place them near the termite-infested area. The attraction to cardboards will lure them away from their hiding places. Once you see the cardboard is full, you can burn them.

  • Call for professional help

If the infestation is severe or none of the DIY methods seems to work, you must consult the experts. The professional pest controllers have access to the latest tools and devices. Moreover, they will know how to deal with the situation the best. Also, you can ask them to share some preventive tips with you. It will help you to make sure that the termites don’t gain entry in the first place. But for this, you need to choose the best pest control company.

Do you need professional assistance for your termite infestation? Call the experts now!

The presence of termites in your house is an alarming issue. If you don’t take proper action, you increase the chance of having an infestation. That is why you need to confirm the presence of termites and use appropriate means to get rid of them. For this, you can use some DIY methods. However, if that doesn’t work, you must get in touch with the experts.

Termite Control Ipswich is one of the best pest control service providers. We boast of a team of skilled and certified pest controllers with years of experience. Moreover, we use top-grade tools and machinery to get rid of the pests. Furthermore, we also opt for toxic-free repellents. Besides, you can count on us to have your home safe once again. Want to opt for our services now? Just give us a call, and we will be there immediately!