You would know if your home was being eaten from the inside out by termites, right? Unfortunately, this is not always the case. Your home could have thousands of termites, and you wouldn’t know it. How is this possible? You see, termites are silent destroyers. Most often, homeowners don’t notice there is a problem until their home is severely damaged. To make sure this never happens to your Opelika property, here are 4 signs of a termite infestation you should know about.
What Are Termites
Termites are social insects that live in large colonies. The most common species of termite here in Opelika are subterranean termites. These invasive pests live deep under the ground and use a system of tunnels to move to and from sources of accessible wood. For a subterranean termite, edible wood is any item or structure of wood that is softened by water damage, rot, or decay. If your home is negatively affected in this way, be sure termites will want to invade.
How Much Money Do Termites Cost Homeowners
Each year termites cost Americans over five billion dollars. This includes the cost of maintenance for termite related damages and what homeowners spend to prevent these pests in the first place. Trust us when we tell you, it is better to spend money preventing termites than to drain your bank account after finding extensive wood damage throughout your home.
Identifying A Termite Infestation
When termites invade a property, they do so quietly, tunneling deep underground. Because of this, it is important you know what signs these invasive pests leave behind. Here are some of the best ways to know if your home has a termite infestation.
- Mud Tubes: Termites cannot survive outside in the elements for extended periods of time. If a foundation of concrete, stone, or other non-wood material stands between them a structure of harvestable wood, they will construct mud tubes to cross the distance. Inspect your home’s exterior foundation for these clear signs of a termite infestation.
- Moisture Damage: When termites chew their way through homes, they carry moisture with them. This moisture affects structures in many ways. It causes wallpaper and paints to bubble, drywall to sag, windows, and doors to fit tighter, and floors to become overly squeaky.
- Soft Clicking: With larger infestations of termites, it is possible to place your ear to a wall and hear soft clicking. This is the sound of thousands of termites picking a home apart piece by piece.
- Termite Swarmers: As termite colonies mature, they get to a point where they begin creating termite swarmers. These winged termites fly out from colonies and seek new locations to build nests. If you see what looks like flying ants around your home or discarded wings on window sills, your home could be infested or at risk of a coming invasion.
How To Prevent and Treat For Termites
To prevent termites around your home, start by addressing moisture issues. Fix leaky pipes, eliminate sources of water build-up, and use a dehumidifier indoors to keep moisture levels down. After this, repair or replace any wood around your home that is water damaged, rotting, or in decay.
If you are looking for a more reliable way to prevent termites around your property or worried that your home might already be infested, the professionals at Prewett Pest Control are here to help. Our team has the advanced treatments, commitment to excellence, and understanding needed to keep your home termite-free year-round.
Call or reach out to us through our website today for more questions or to schedule your Opelika home and property for a thorough termite inspection.