Termites are known as the silent destroyer. This is because they often go undetected while literally eating up your home. In almost all cases, neither termites nor termite damage is discovered until there is a significant amount of destruction that has been done. From wood finishes and decking on the outside, to the walls, ceilings and even furniture inside of your home, a colony of termites will devour their way through your house at a rate of almost thirteen pounds per year. Wiping out termites before they have completely leveled your home is the key to prevent major damage.
Spring Termite Swarmers
The most obvious sign that termites are in your neighborhood is swarming. This is when reproductive termites called swarmers fly around looking to create new colonies. If you see a swarm of termites in your yard or neighborhood, there is a really good chance you may be dealing with a termite infestation in your own home. If you find any discarded insect wings, this could really mean termites are close as swarmers discard their wings once they find a new place to establish a colony and call home.
Do Termite Mud Tubes Mean You Have Termites?
Another good way to identify if termites have invaded your home is to look for termite tubes. Termites cannot survive very long in the sun light. To combat this, they create thin tubes made from mud to move back and forth between their nest and their food source, which is of course the wood that is the main structure of your home. This privacy also serves termites well as they are quite anti-social insects. They choose to travel with other termites in mud tubes and away from other insects. Termites build mud tubes that are irregular in shape and made out of wood particles, dirt and their own feces and saliva. Pretty disgusting and unsettling when you think about it. Common sense will tell you that you should avoid touching these mud tubes with your bare hands. Termite mud tubes are visible on the inside and outside of your home.
Termite Frass & Hollow Sounding Wood
Other signs include termite droppings called frass and also hollow sounding wood. Termites often eat wood from the inside out as they prefer to be in dark, humid environments.
Once termites have gained access to the inside of your home, they begin to eat through the framework of your house. Untouched wood to a termite serves up a pretty fat feast for their colony. If gone undetected, a colony of termites can completely destroy the structural integrity of your home, causing new dangers for you and your family. Not only do termites eat away at your home with their tiny but strong wood eating jaws, but they also eat away at the equity that is in your home. If you are selling your house and the buyer requests that a termite inspection be done before purchase, which is very wise, it could determine whether or not you can sell your house. Often times a deal has fallen through due to the discovery of a termite infestation.
Termite Pest Inspections, Treatment, Control, Removal & More in Austin, Round Rock, Leander, Pflugerville & Cedar Park Texas
A good visual termite inspection is the proper action to take if you suspect termites in your home. A-Tex Pest Management will give you a professional inspection and help you exterminate and control any termite problem you may have. We have the advanced technology, knowledge and experience to detect and eliminate any termites already in your home and to help prevent any future infestations. Call us today!
