Signs of termites might be present in your home, or you heard a close neighbor is combating an infestation will likely give you some concern. Billions of dollars each year is what termites cost United States home and business owners. Before termites have a chance to eat away at your equity, the wisest thing you can do when it comes to termites is protect yourself. To make it less attractive to these wood-destroying insects, there are some things you can do to adjust your home. Today, we at A-Tex Pest Management would like to discuss the attraction termites have in Texas.
What Causes Subterranean Termites to Come Inside?
Subterranean termites are attracted to the same wooden or organic materials that attract drywood termites. If the wood of your home touches the soil, these insects will be especially likely to invade. Yards that have wood objects such as woodpiles or construction materials on the ground is what they are also attracted. These termites are also attracted to any kind of moisture on the ground. Be sure to repair leaky spigots and keep gutter systems in good working order as it is important. To allow things to dry out, move items away from your perimeter. Subterranean termites prefer wet or rotting wood but can feed on dry wood. They will most often create mud tubes on foundation walls that are in hidden, dark places as they are also attracted to dark, shaded areas. Subterranean termites are attracted to plants that have cellulose, as they do not only eat wood. A home that is lit up at night are also an attraction to subterranean termite swarmers.
What are Drywood Termites Attracted To?
Drawn to any home that has wood in it are drywood termites. This will be an even greater lure because drywood termites prefer dry wood, as their name suggests if there is any dry and untreated wood on your property. Drywood termites do not need contact with the ground and can establish themselves inside wood. Drywood termites can get in and then show little or no signs of eating away at your home if your home has any gaps or cracks. These termites may be able to chew their way into door frames if you have damaged screens.
What Does Mild & Severe Termite Damage Look Like?
Siding: Especially if the wood actually comes in contact with the soil, wood siding may have chewed areas low down near the soil. Termites may access the siding in this way if firewood has been piled against the siding.
Garage door frames: Holes may appear as termites may chew away at garage doors. Where soil touches the door is when this most likely to happen.
Studs: Termite damage might appear on shreds or outbuildings. Strong timbers become brittle enough to splinter and termites create long channels inside the wood.
Walls: You may begin to notice that the wall is beginning to bulge or that doors and windows in that wall no longer work properly if termites have been at work for a long time, this damage is unlikely to be visible unless you are doing renovations. The damage will be unmistakable if a wall is torn out. It has been eaten by termites if you are looking at wood that should be solid, and it is porous and filled with troughs and channels.
Water damage: In the form of damage that looks like it was created by water, sometimes a termite infestation will reveal itself. Floors, walls, or ceilings may look bumpy or swollen.
Ceilings and floors: Because of the weakened timbers inside, ceilings and floors may begin to be warped or have a dip in them.
Crawlspaces: You will likely see mud tubes going from the soil to the wood of your home if termites are eating away at crawlspaces. These tubes protect termites from the drying effects of the air.
Termite Pest Inspections, Treatment, Control, Removal & More in Austin, Round Rock, Leander, Pflugerville & Cedar Park Texas
If you need termite control services in Austin, Texas and surrounding areas, call in the professionals of A-Tex Pest Management.
