Termites – A Silent Destroyer

Termites are one of the oldest bugs around as it’s believed they’ve been here since the age of the dinosaurs. Even though they eat all day, every day, they are tiny which makes them able to fit into spaces less than one-eighth of an inch.

Their small size is the reason why termites can do a lot of damage before detection and can do billions of dollars of destructive damage to homes each year. If you suspect a termite problem, contact a professional before it can possibly get out of control as you insurance company may not cover this type of damage.

Termites are as much a natural disaster as floods, fires, and as tornadoes can be. Even though they are destructive and can do a lot in the way of damage, they do have positive effects to the ecosystem. One example is they return nutrients back in to the forests soil by feeding on old dead trees and the like.

Fun Fact – Did you know there are more than 2,000 species of termites all over the world?

Warning Signs

Unfortunately you may not know or suspect termite damage until there is a real infestation. One of the most obvious signs of termites is wood damage, but there are other conditions that could signal an infestation:

• If you have laminate flooring the signs are similar to water damage where the laminate will blister and sag.
• Droppings, small piles of pellets that indicate termites have been feasting nearby.
• Mud tubes, straw sized holes near baseboards, plumbing, cracks and under floor.
• If there is an attic in your house and you see destruction to rafters, this could be moisture damage or termite damage.

It may be difficult to know if your house has been infested by termites as the damage they do is often inside the wood. If you suspect an issue, have a termite inspector come out and look at your home.

How to Get Rid of Termites

Termite bait is a viable option to help control the termite population but can take time and diligence in keeping up on putting out fresh bait and may not be a long term solution. There are also liquid insecticides to deter termites from creating future damage.

In the long run, if you think you have a termite issue; it is best to get the professionals involved as they can implement a complete treatment.

If you have kids or pets and are concerned about the chemicals involved, there are some new non-chemical methods which might work well.

Termite Prevention

There are some things you can do to keep termites from ruining your home. Here’s a few options:

• Keep standing water away from your home.
• Keep gutters clean and in good repair.
• Keep rooftops clear of debris and make sure there are no leaks.
• Don’t stack wood next to your house and keep vegetation away from the foundation.
• Close up any openings around utility pipes.
• Screen outside vents.
• If you live in an area known to have termites, keep your home in good repair, don’t leave damaged exterior walls remain unrepaired.