The Early Signs Your House Might Have Termites

We are all at risk for termites, even though No one wants to have them. Termites can infest any house; they do not choose places to infest. Some may think a termite infestation is just irritating, but they can do more damage than you may know. They are a vital part of our ecosystem, but in our dwellings they are damaging. If you do not know the early signs of termites, they can ruin your property, even your entire home.

It is rather unfortunate that homeowners don’t even know they have termites, not until a lot of harm has already happened. Having some knowledge about the early signs of termites will help protect your house before the problem comes out or intensifies. Termites can do a lot of harm to an area in a small time period. Thus, knowing some things to watch for will help you prevent a termite infestation before serious damage occurs.

You should know that not all termite infestations can be seen by the naked eye. Discovering these wood eating creatures may take a little more time and a more trained eye. Your floors, walls, furniture & other areas of the house that is made of wood are some of the usual areas they attack. checking for mud holes and piles of feces can help determine if you have termites.

Seeing the early signs of termite attacks need checking areas where termites usually would go. Check your garden and lawn area; tree stumps, dead leaves & in the soil for mud holes. Also look for entryways into your walls. See if your walls have cracks or spaces where they could go. You should also check moldings, window sills, basement walls & doorframes.

If any show signs of feeding activity, you should contact a professional pest control company or exterminator. You can even do it yourself if you have knowledge and equipment. The point is stopping the termite problem before it even begins.

Why must you go through the trouble of administering pest control measures for the household? Although it might not have crossed your mind right now, one day in the future you may put your house up for sale. Potential buyers would undeniably steer clear of any property that has marks of pest infestation; they sense that a property infested with pests is a terrible investment. A termite colony thriving in your home’s foundation could very well diminish the asking price of your home. Moreover, banks usually deny loan applications with homes used as collaterals if they found that the property is overriden with pests; like prospective buyers, lending institutions view pest-infested houses as bad investments. You could treat the amount you pay for a professional pest control company to assess the cost and accomplish pest eradication in your home as an investment for the future value of your household.

Learn more about the most effective methods of eradicating mosquitos and other pests from your homes or offices. Unique version for reprint here: The Early Signs Your House Might Have Termites.

Know What Termites Look Like

by Scott Lunn

Termite identification does not only refer to the ability to name the various members of a termite colony. As a homeowner who wants to prevent termites from infesting your home, then you have to know the basics regarding termites.

Termite Information

The most common termite, and the ones you are most likely to find are the worker termites. Worker termites have a creamy white color and are responsible in gathering food for the colony.

Termites stay away from the light as well as open air. Rather they dig out into the soil and work their way up the wooden sections of a house by means of the mud tunnels they build. This explains why the extent of the destruction to properties remain undetermined until enough damage has been made. For some, they will only find out the existence of termites when the damaged areas begin to break, revealing worker termites. To be able to prevent considerable damage, it is best to search for signs that there is termite presence within your property.

Termite Swarmers

Termite swarmers are young king and queen termites. They are responsible for establishing new colonies. They tend to swarm on damp days in the spring and fall. Look for dark colored and winged insects flying around. Look closer if these insects have straight bodies and if they have four wings of equal length. If they do, then they are either coming or leaving your place. Either way, there are probably termites lurking somewhere.

Through the Mud Tunnels

Mud tubes or tunnels running over a foundation is a definite sign of the presence of termites. As we already know, worker termites avoid open areas, so they travel from the colony to their food source by means of mud tunnels. When you see what appears to be dried mud rising from the earth and sticking on foundations or walls you should start looking for more termites.

Termite Damage Effects

If termites go undetected for a long time before you detect them, there is a big probability that the wooden portions of your house have already been severely damaged. This damage will eventual result in the collapse of wooden surfaces. When you find termites, take immediate action to eliminate them.

Termite Friendly Conditions

There are certain conditions that provide a favorable environment for termites. These conditions just encourage termites to infest your home. Any places where the wood portion of your house are in contact with the ground is a serious threat. Ground termites are partial to moist soil, and if it is near wood, then their foraging just becomes easier. Also check for any leaky pipes under and around your house. As well as any cracks in the foundation, which might invite the termites in.

About the Author: