Just the idea of finding termites in your home can drive anyone crazy. These tiny insects can do quite a bit of damage to any wood structures within a home. Once you have spotted a termite in your home, it is hard to tell just how bad the damage is until you have a pest control professional examine your home. Everyone knows that finding termites in your home is no good. But how can you be sure it’s a termite that you are seeing? How much damage can one little bug cause? And why do they have such a bad rep? Here are 5 important termite facts you will want to know to help you try to prevent them, determine if you have them and assess the damage.
- Identifying Termites. Termites are a creamy white to light brown color. They are about 1/8th of an inch long. Swamer termites have wings that they shed. They are social insects and live in colonies. Some colonies have up to 2 million members.
- Difficult to see. It is difficult to determine if you have termites because they are elusive by nature and generally travel through mud tubes and in the wood source that they are feeding off of. It’s not like we have x-ray vision and can see right through our walls to determine if there is termite activity! Termites can easily hide within the structure of our home’s and set up an entire colony, eating away at our home’s bones while we are chilling on the couch, getting some R&R. Pretty much the only chance you will see them is when they are swarming.
- Invasive insects. Termites are invasive insects. They will come into your home through cracks and crevices on the exterior of your home. They are looking for an easy meal and will stay and set up shop, if they have found the ideal place for them and their relatives. They are especially attracted to moist and decaying wood.
- Damage. Once these tiny insects have set up a colony in your home, the damage can be very extensive. Termites are known for causing 5 billion dollars worth of property damage each year in the United States. Don’t let your home become part of this statistic. Termites are not picky about what part of your home they chew on. It can be anything from furniture to structural beams. Anything is fair game to these pesky termites.
- Difficult to Eliminate. Once you have determined that you have termites in your home, it can be extremely difficult, nearly impossible, to eliminate every last one of them on your own. If you don’t eliminate them all, you will be sure to see them again. It is best to call in a professional pest exterminator to help you determine where the termites are located and to utilize their knowledge, sources and training to eliminate the issue. A professional exterminator will work with you to protect your house from any further infestations as well.
Looking for a home termite inspection program? Let us help you. Contact Holder’s today.