Termites are not the most dangerous insects to encounter, but their constant chewing through wood can create dangerous living circumstances. Professional termite treatment and proactive prevention are essential in dealing with these pests.
Understanding Termites
Termites are small insects that have a love of chewing through wood. These pests range in color from tan to brown and come in two varieties in our area of the country; the subterranean termite and the drywood termite. True to their name, the subterranean termite prefers to live underground and will emerge from outside nests to feed on moist or waterlogged wood. Drywood termites, on the other hand, will easily invade your home’s internal structures, preferring to eat the wood found in your home.
Termites of any age or species are not known to transmit diseases, but they can trigger allergies. You may be wondering if it is bad to live in a house with termites or if termites are harmful to you, but this generally depends on your allergies. Those with other insect allergies or asthma are much more likely to have reactions due to termites being present in the home.
And while termites are not necessarily dangerous to people or pets in your home, the destruction that they cause with their tunneling can be dangerous. The longer termites are left to eat through the wooden structures of your house, the hollower this wood becomes and the greater risk there is for your home to collapse or sink; this is why proper termite treatment is essential to protect your home and family.
What Are Signs Of Termites?
If you suspect termites are in your home, keep watch for some of the following signs of termite activity:
- As termites chew through wood in your home, they may leave walls and floors sounding hollow. Tap gently on these areas to determine if a termite treatment is needed.
- You may hear soft rustling in the walls at night as a result of termites chewing and tunneling.
- Floors around your home may start sinking, and doors and windows can become stuck as the longer termites chew the wood around your home.
- You may see frass, which termites kick out from their tunnels (it looks like small wood shavings), near baseboards, windowsills, and doorjambs.
To prevent termites from entering your property in the first place, you can follow some of the below prevention tips:
- Reduce soil-to-wood contact around your property. You can put up a barrier of rocks between soiled areas and your foundation to stop termites from easily entering your house.
- Store firewood and other lumber far away from your home to prevent termites that may be hiding in the wood from crossing over into your property.
- Repair and replace any moisture-damaged wood either inside or outside your home to deter termites from coming inside in search of an easy meal.
How To Get Rid Of Termites
If you have spotted signs of termites in your home, you are probably wondering how to get rid of termites from your property permanently. The best thing to do is to contact the professionals right away. The experts will be able to find all traces of termites in your home and provide you with targeted, effective solutions that fully remove the infestation that you are dealing with so your home can return to being a safe, pest-free space.