Save Your Home From Destructive Termite Infestation

Save Your Home From Destructive Termite Infestation

Termites are easily confused with winged ants; therefore, it is important to learn how to distinguish between the two. Termites are know to have several different types that look quite differently. The worker termite is pale in appearance and looks a bit like a large albino ant. Soldier termites have wings that are twice the size of their bodies and are usually found after the insect has infected your home. While working in the yard, keep an eye on dead tree stumps and old wood. If you spot termites, then you know that they are very close. Take a walk around your house and the outside of your home. Look for earth toned mud tubes that operate as termite outlets. Problems with termites usually start 10 years or more following the construction of the home. But there have been instances of termite infestations in newer houses. It is always important to be diligent when inspecting your home. Likely areas include basement walls, wooden posts, decorative trim around doors, areas around furnaces and chimneys, moldings, and windowpanes. Make inspecting for termites a routine and you will save yourself plenty of money in the future.

It is oftentimes very hard to discover termites, because they eat your home from the inside out. If you suspect a termite colony living in any wooden structure then use a screwdriver or hammer and break open the area. Worker termites do not like the sun’s brightness and are likely to quickly move when exposed. If you start noticing bulging walls then you know you have an issue. There are ways to protect your home prior to a termite infestation. Keep landscaping such as shrubs, fences, planter boxes, and trees a minimum of two feet away from your house’s foundation. Try to steer clear of using wood mulch. For indoor protection, always dispose of wood debris and repair any broken pipes. Termites love moisture, so keeping pipes fixed and sprinkler heads away from your foundation will help prevent them from coming into your home. If you decide to renovate, choose a wood that had been treated to stop termites.

There are a number of ways to handle termites when they find a way into your home. Many people will spot the revealing mud tubes and poison the soil around the area. This is typically unsuccessful because termites can travel great distances into your home or discover other ways to enter. There are termite bait systems that will trap termites or permit you to see if you have a termite crisis. The most recommended way to treat termites or determine if they are in your home is to contact a professional. The termite control company you contact should be registered with the Department of Agriculture or other government agency in control of pest control in your state. Call a number of companies and ask about the varying treatment options and get quotes. Companies usually vary in the services provided with the warranty, but the majority will make a second visit to an area if the termites do not respond to the treatment the first time. Treatments will commonly prevent termites for five years, yet you should keep an eye on the area on a regular basis. Termites cost homeowners huge amounts of money for treatment and construction. Always be diligent and when in doubt call a trustworthy termite control company.

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