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Oh, the dreaded termite! Termites are one of the most notorious pests, and for good reason. Termite damage costs U.S. homeowners roughly $5 billion dollars of damage per year and causes more damage to homes than tornadoes, fires and earthquakes combined.
Termites devour the wood around homes and businesses. Termites can work away for a long time without being noticed. The signs of termite damage include soft wood, doors and windows which do not close properly, mud tubes on the walls and other signatures. Although the termite can cause tremendous damage that end up costing homeowners thousands of dollars for repairs, there are certain factors which help create the right environment for a termite infestation.
Many factors, such as weather, can cause termite infestations to be more rampant than usual. Termites invade homes during dry seasons, but they also love rainfall. If you’re experiencing a rainy season, it’s important to know the signs of termites so you can spot an infestation sooner rather than later.
If you think you have a termite infestation, don't wait! The longer you wait, the more you risk serious and costly damage to your building. Contact your local Western Exterminator office today to discuss our termite solutions and termite treatment methods.
1. Termite swarmers are winged termites whose main purpose is to reproduce and create new colonies. Dampened soil signals the beginning of the termite reproduction process and makes it easier for termites to dig tunnels in the soil into structures.
2. Termites thrive in environments with moisture, heat and shelter. So after a rainfall, it’s no surprise termites find solace deep in building structures.
This is also why termites are so detrimental to building structures. Because damage is deep within the structure, it’s not always visible to the homeowner. This means termite infestations often go unnoticed for long periods of time and prolong the intervention of termite exterminator services.
3. Rainy seasons are crucial for termites because it makes the wood softer and easier to chew through. Dampwood termites typically infest damp, decaying wood. Dampwood termites typically don’t nest in the soil, so you are likely to find dampwood termite tunnels following the grain in the wood.
There are a number of signs of termites you can look for if you think you may have spotted termites around your home. Just remember, it takes an expert to know for sure and to be able to tell the difference between termites damage, carpenter ant damage and carpenter bee damage. Some of the signs of termites include:
There may be other signs, but it can depend on the species of termite within your home or on your property. This is why it takes experience and training like the Western Exterminator specialists have.
Rainfall and the aftermath of it are often what attract termites. If you’ve experienced flooding, leaky pipes or have standing water on your property, this can attract termites and other pests into your home.
Some ways you can prevent water damage and pest-harboring sites after a major rainfall are:
The first step in determining what types of termites and what damage has been done is the termite inspection. Western Exterminator specialists can spot the types of termites and determine if the damage you've seen are from some other wood-destroying insects or from termites. Remember, it is required that homes or property for sale often require a real estate termite inspection from a certified professional.
Western Exterminator termite Technicians will find the locations of the termite nests and offer you solutions to effectively remove the termites. Then, Western's specialists offer ways to prevent return infestations.
If you believe your home has termites, act fast. This will save you time, money and stress! Your local Western Exterminator pest specialists are only a phone call away. For more information on our termite control services, call us at 888-444-6138 or contact us online.