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As such, they can easily and unknowingly be transported in wood items from one location to another. They are found in the southern states, from North Carolina through the Gulf Coast and in to the coastal areas of California. They form colonies of up to 2,500 members and usually swarm on sunny, warm days after a sudden rise in temperature. Winged termites have a straight waist, straight antennae and their wings are equal in size.
Eliminating Wood and Vegetation Near Your Home’s Exterior
Although individual termites are generally less than half an inch long, their strength comes in numbers—and household infestations can swell to thousands of termites if left untreated. In fact, termites cause an estimated $5 billion in property damage in the United States each year, according to the National Pest Management Association. That’s why it’s good to be aware of early warning signs of termites so you can take quick action.
Wood damage
Once termites find their way in, buckling and blistering floorboards can be the result of their feasting away. If the floor support itself takes damage, sagging can become apparent as well. Organic materials have a lot of enemies, but few are as notorious as termites. Large, mature termite colonies can eat as much as a pound of wood per day, although in most homes, damage won’t be obvious for three to eight years.
signs you have a german roach infestation
Homeowners may see the pencil-width mud tubes spreading out like veins on their home’s foundation. If you spot noticeable blisters, cracks or sags on any of these surfaces, there’s a high possibility that termites are present. Another way to detect termite-inflicted damage is to knock on timber around your house.
How Can I Prevent Termite Infestation?
Homeowners often find the wings of swarming termites on windowsills, in spider webs or near indoor lights. If you find wings that termites have shed, it is usually a sign of an established colony. Even if you find flying termites or their wings outside, it might indicate that there is a problem in your home or inside of another nearby structure.
Termites are silent home wreckers. Here's what to do about them - The Arizona Republic
Termites are silent home wreckers. Here's what to do about them.
Posted: Tue, 28 Nov 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Termite Damage vs. Carpenter Ants
Don’t forget to follow up with necessary repairs to the structure of your home as well. As termites make a feast of the wood in your home, its structure will naturally be affected. It will shift and warp, leading to items not sitting like they used to. A key sign of this is windows and doors no longer opening as easily, or closing like they used to. So if you’re struggling to open and close doors, it’s not always down to the humidity alone.
Bed Bug Pest Guide
Left untreated, however, you could have even bigger problems on your hands if the termites affect the structural integrity of your home. Your random fact of the day is termite poop is typically referred to as frass. If you notice piles of frass around small holes in the wall, you have reason to be concerned.
Surefire Signs You Have A Termite Infestation
Many homeowners confuse termites with other insects that look or behave similarly, such as ants, powderpost beetles, and carpenter bees. You can identify soldier termites by their blocky, orangish-brown heads. Though their bodies are just as vulnerable as those of worker termites, their heads are heavily armored.
Termite dust is a combination of wall dirt, wood shavings and termite droppings, and it will fall and accumulate on the floor as termite holes in drywall appear. If you think termites may be within your walls, gently tap on the flat surface. If this reveals a hollow sound, there is a good chance that termites have eaten away at the wood framing inside. Compare the sounds of a few different walls to be sure the hollow noise is unique. If the termite damage is extensive enough, the wall may also crumble inside as you knock on it. There are many reasons wall paint may bubble or flake off, and a termite infestation is one of them.
The issue is only a major cause for concern when it happens suddenly. Termites work quickly, so if your perfect paint job begins to bubble or a crack appears out of nowhere on your wooden wall, it's time to jump into action. You might peel away the bubbled paint to check for damage underneath or tap the wall to listen for hollow sounds. From there, you can call a pest control specialist to finish the job. Termite infestations can be destructive and costly if left untreated.
Bait stations eliminate active termite colonies by feeding them a toxic food source. Initially, the bait stations contain wood or other food material. The food is gradually replaced with bait that contains a slow-acting toxic chemical. And of course, follow good home maintenance and building procedures. Moisture-damaged wood is more appealing to termites, so keep an eye out for leaking gutters and other moisture problems. Termites use their saliva to glue these tunnels together for travel.
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