As we begin to thaw out this spring, pests, including the winged termite, will become more active and invade homes across the country. March 10–16 is termite awareness week and we want to educate you about the threat they pose to homes and the signs of a potential infestation.
Termites account for nearly $5 billion in property damage each year and, unfortunately, your homeowner’s insurance won’t cover the cost of these damages. Termites are known as silent destroyers because their damage can go unnoticed, so it’s important for you to keep on top of warning signs of these pests on your property.
Damage caused by termites can be a continuous problem because they feed twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. These winged invaders consume the cellulose in wood and paper products, and often appear in the spring in search of locations to create a new colony. Homes with moisture damage from snow, ice and rain are prime locations for them to establish a new colony.
Diligent inspection and knowledge of warning signs are essential to preventing an infestation. We have provided termite warning signs below, courtesy of the National Pest Management Association (NPMA):
- Mud tubes: Help protect termites from predators while traveling between a food source and their nest. To test for activity, break the center section of the tube and if it’s repaired within a few days, the tube is still active.
- Cracked, bubbling paint: This occurs when moisture is getting in the spaces between the wood and the paint, which could be caused by termites burrowing in the wood.
- Wood damage: Look for wood that appears to be blistering or darkening and knock on it. If the sound is hollow, there might be pests present.
- Broken wings: If you notice a lot of tiny flying insects outside all at once, or a pile of discarded wings, this is the earliest and most visible sign of an infestation.
- Head banging: Soldier termites bang their heads against the wood or shake their bodies to signal danger to other termites. This will sound like quiet clicking sounds coming from your wall. FUN FACT: Research has shown that termites eat twice as fast while listening to heavy metal due to the frequency of the vibrations.
By offering both the Sentricon® Colony Elimination System termite baiting program and Termidor® liquid termiticide, we can provide our customers with the treatment that best meets your individual needs and preferences. Our entire staff of licensed inspectors and technicians have both the knowledge and the experience to solve problems in any type of structure. If you’ve noticed any warning signs of a potential termite infestation, contact us immediately!