How to Protect Your House From Termites

One of the most devastating pests to homes is termites, which can enter a house through even the tiniest crack. They can destroy your wood by eating it from the inside out and can even enter a house with wet wood. To protect your house from termites, you should be aware of the symptoms and seek professional treatment to remove the infestation.

Termites can enter your home through even the smallest cracks

Even the smallest cracks in your home can allow termites to enter and damage your property. You should check your home for any gaps or cracks in the foundation and exterior walls. Also check for cracks in pipes and other exterior openings. If you find any, you should seal them immediately.

If you are unsure of whether your home has termites, call a termite service. Some companies offer a guarantee. Some companies offer services for just the cracks, while others offer a full home inspection. Termite damage can easily cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. In addition, homeowners insurance rarely covers termite damage. This is because it is preventable. Using a termite-proof system like the Sentricon System will help you avoid expensive repairs.

They eat wood from the inside out

Termites eat wood from the inside, creating holes in structures. They will often leave only a thin layer of timber and paint. You can tell if your property has been infested by knocking on the affected wood. It will sound hollow or papery. If you hear this sound, then you have a termite infestation.

Termites feed on the cellulose content in wood. As the most abundant organic compound in nature, cellulose can be found in almost any material. It’s found in wood, grass, paper, cardboard, cotton, books, and magazines. To survive, termites need to break down cellulose into simple sugars.

They create their own “highways” out of tubes of mud

Termites create their own “highways,” or tunnels, out of tubes of mud, to get to wood in your home. These tunnels are difficult to see and connect to an active termite colony. They also leave pellet-looking dust, or frass, behind. A pest control professional can check your home to make sure there is no active termite colony.

Mud tubes are one of the biggest signs of termite infestation. You can find them along your home’s foundation, around pipes, in the attic, and crawlspace, or anywhere else termites have access to your house. Mud tubes are like covered highways for termites, as they can’t pass through obstructions such as pipes and walls.

They destroy wet wood

Termites thrive in moist, dark environments, and a home may be at risk for a termite infestation. They are often attracted to wood piles or mulch around a home. Moisture and humidity in a home encourage termites to infest the wood, causing it to rot.

Termites love wet wood, and they’ll usually choose it over dry wood. They feed on the cellulose content of the wood to live, and wet wood is ideal for them. When they get inside, termites chew out tunnels, compromising the strength of the wood. The wood begins to look discolored, and the wood rots out on the outside.

They can come along with your furniture

Termites can cause damage to your furniture and other items in your house. Termites that live in damp areas such as the basement or under your house may build their nests in your wooden furniture. Wood dust can be found underneath wooden pieces of furniture as a sign of a termite infestation. While it can be difficult to get rid of termites, regular inspections will help you detect them and prevent them from becoming a problem.

Termites are known for their insidious nature. It is difficult to detect an infestation until a significant amount of damage has been done. However, there are simple signs to look out for, such as sawdust and holes in woodwork. In some cases, you can detect termites even before they have done any damage.

They leave behind dismembered wings

You may have noticed dismembered wings on your walls and ceiling, but they are not necessarily termites. Termites come in three different castes. The reproductive termites are called alate nymphs, and they swarm out of the colony to breed and form a new one. These swarmers can live as long as 30 years.

Termites leave behind dismembered wings in a pile if they leave their nest. These wings are often left near light sources, such as windows or light fixtures. They are not dangerous to humans, but their presence can indicate a termite infestation.