The damage caused by termites can be very costly especially if the problem is not solved right away.

Termites can inflict more than $3 billion worth of damage nationwide to homes each year. And, to add more insult to injury, termites are very hard to see until they have finally made a great damage to the structure.

Termites will crawl through damp soil and into homes through the foundation. They can fly into attics or crawl spaces since they are just relentless in their pursuit of finding a new home and build their colony once again. These insects will create tunnels into wood by consuming it, which can cause for the foundation to become weak. Much of the damage that these insects can make, can be avoided with early detection. But, as already mentioned, termites are very hard to see. They dine out of sight and can brilliantly disguise the result of their munching, which makes them scary and difficult to control. To control termites, it is necessary to learn how they look like and how they infest homes. Here are some ways to know more about these insects.

What are Termites?

Termites  are a bit alike with the ants. However, they have broad instead of narrow waists, straight antennae and wings. Termites might look like ants, but they are not. In fact, they are more closely related to cockroaches. The only similarity they have with ants is on how they build their colony, and that is it. We cannot see termites out in the open because they are great at hiding in places where it is warm and moist. Although they are the masters of disguise, they still leave trails that you can detect.

Swarmers

Seeing swarming reproductives is one of the initial signs that your home is being infested by termites. Swarmers seen inside a home may not necessarily mean that there is an active infestation because some may just be unlucky to not find their way back home. However, it could also be an indication of a colony being started in your home. Seeing swarmers outside your home or building may indicate of a possible infestation in a nearby property.

Shelter Tubes

Termites are subterranean, which means they operate underground. Their main nest might be in a tree trunk near your house or mould. However, these termites can build tunnels in the ground up to 150 meters from their location in search of cellulous feeding material. When these pests find your home as a good candidate for food, they will build “mud leads” to help them bridge the gap. This is where you can easily find them. They will create a lead outside the ground into the structure through a weep hole or even build a tube up a pipe into the floorboards.

Hollowed Wood

If you suspect a certain part of your home is already the home of termites, probe suspect wood with a knife or a screwdriver and see if it has been hollowed. Wood damage is a definite indication of termite infestation. If you hear dull, thudding sound when the wood is struck, it means you need to have your home examined.

Dirt in Wood

Some homeowners are confused about the difference between water damage and termite damage since they are somehow related. To know if yours is termite damage, look for bits of dirt that comes with wood since they usually create mud like substance where they are foraging.

Finding Termites

Termites are continuously foraging for food and moisture so much of their search is through continuous exploration. In other words, they have come into your home by blind luck and they are ready to feast your unwanted wood buffet. Fight these insects by stopping them before it is too late. Termites love moisture and wood. And, if you have them available in your home,, then it is like giving them a free steak.

Moisture

Look into areas beside the house where moisture is present such as under leaky faucets or around air-conditioning units.

Woodpile

When there is a lot of wood debris around or near a home structure, you are somehow inviting these termites to go and live with you. Make sure not to stack wood against the house. Just to keep it safe.

Protect your property from termites! For effective and safe termite control, contact Preventive Pest Control.