No pest infestation can beat termite damage because of the extent of the property destruction.
Every year termite damage is responsible for more than $5 billion in property damage, which is shocking. Sadly, the home insurance doesn’t cover the termite infestation.
If you don’t want to spend a hefty amount on reversing the termite damage, it’s essential to look for the infestation signs and start implementing the prevention techniques immediately.
The following guide summarizes the termite damage signs based on the type of damage as well as provides you with helpful termite prevention tips:
If you are concerned about property damage and devaluation, keep reading to identify the termite damage signs and implement preventive measures.
The good news is you can trace the termites in several ways by closely inspecting your property and other belongings.
Structural Damage
If your home is primarily constructed of wood, the chances of termite infestation are significantly higher. Furthermore, the damage isn’t limited to wood homes; but also to metal and plaster siding.
You can also tap on the wooden furniture, slabs, and cabinets to check for sound. If the sound seems hollow, you can identify the termite infestation.
The broken, damp, and lose roof tiles serve as an opportunity for the termites to breed.
You can also notice structure damage in the following places:
Drywall Damage
The termites remain invisible to the naked eye by hiding within the floors and drywalls. Hence, you should periodically check for cavities and other holes, such as peeling paint or bubbling.
Mud Tubes
You can check for subterranean termites by identifying the mud tubes. The name suggests that these mud tubes are made from wood, soil, and termite saliva.
The subterranean muds use mud tubes to protect the termite colony from predators and dehydration.
Disregarded Wings
Also known as termite swarmers, the termites fly near the windows or cracks, leaving behind discarded wings.
Temporary Swarms
The early sign of an infestation is the temporary swarm you can see outside and inside the home. The temporary swarms appear near the sliding glass doors and windows.
The rule of thumb is to have a minimum distance of 12 inches between the shrubbery and the home's exterior walls. This way, you ensure proper air ventilation throughout the house.
Also, you should trim the shrubbery and the tree limbs regularly, so they don’t touch the walls and the roof.
On the downside, if the tree branches touch the roof, it can often give passage to the termites to get to your home through the roof.
Similarly, it’s essential to maintain a minimum distance of 20 inches between the home foundation and the garden. You can fill the area using gravel, stones, or cement.
Homeowners use organic mulch for landscaping to ensure moisture within the environment to grow flowers, trees, and shrubs. Conversely, subterranean termites love mulch.
To prevent the issue, it’s best to use non-organic materials, such as pea gravel and pine needles, to grow flowers in your garden.
The most significant advantage of non-organic materials is that they are less appealing to termites and ants.
Your foremost goal should be to termite-proof the crawl spaces by ensuring proper air circulation. This way, you can prevent the moisture from spreading to the subfloors.
Zero moisture and dry crawl spaces mean a lesser risk of termite infestation, fungi, and mold growth.
Prevention is better than cure; regular inspection can help you prevent termite infestation for a long time.
All you need to do is to be proactive and dedicate one day to checking for cracks around the home. Similarly, you should check for gaps in the sliding doors and windows with regular maintenance.
If you can’t do it yourself, you can schedule an appointment with the professionals for close inspection and termite damage prevention.
It’s a simple yet one of the most effective ways to keep the termites off your home. You should fix the leaking pipes and clogged gutters to prevent water pooling on the basement or roof.
If you live in a hot and humid area, you can also invest in a good-quality dehumidifier. This way, you can remove excess moisture from your home.
Similarly, you can use the air conditioner to regulate the temperature during summer while removing the moisture from indoors.
If you see termite growth on furniture or other household items, you can expose them to the sun for three consecutive days.
The good news is that the termites are temperature-sensitive and can’t withstand sunlight intensity.
If you have wooden furniture in the home, it’s best to spray borate since it’s one of the most effective termite repellents.
The borate soaks within the wood to prevent the termites from attacking the furniture later.
Once the borate spray dries, you can apply the paint and primer to the furniture for further finishing.
The key to preventing a termite infestation is to declutter your home. You shouldn’t overstuff or crowd your home with unnecessary wooden furniture.
You need to get rid of the redundant items, such as:
You should never leave the termite infestation untreated as it can lead to irreversible property damage.
It’s undoubtedly overwhelming to inspect the home yourself. That’s why it’s best to call professionals for help and guidance in termite damage prevention.
Lucky for you, Red Rock Pest Control is a certified Termidor provider offering comprehensive termite control plans.
They take pride in their licensed pest control technicians who closely inspect the home for termite signs. Also, they offer a customized termite control proposal based on the property situation.
You can reap the following benefits by availing their services:
If you suspect termite damage in your home, don’t wait and schedule your FREE INSPECTION today.
