Termites – The Silent and Destructive Pest

This presents a dilemma if termites are silently eating your home, how do you know you have them before they cause damage?

It’s estimated that termites cause billions of dollars worth of damage in the U.S. each year. They primarily feed on wood, but they will also cause damage to insulation, furniture, books, trees, and shrubs. They can infest a building or home at any time.

How Do You Know if You Have Termites?

If you notice signs of termite damage, it’s likely there has been an infestation for a while. If the damage is extensive, they may have been there for years. So this presents a dilemma if termites are silently eating your home, how do you know you have them before they cause damage?

The only way you can save on costly termite damage is by catching the infestation as early as possible. If you suspect some termite activity in or around your property, you should immediately get your home inspected.

There are signs to watch out for. The most common signs that you have termites include:

• Small holes in your drywall where they have tunneled through
• Drooping or discolored drywall
• Hollow sounds when wood is tapped
• Paint that is peeling, resembling water damage
• Ceilings and walls which are buckling
• Maze-like designs in wooden structures
• Termite droppings which look like coffee grounds or sawdust
• Mud tunnels along your foundation
• Swarming termites, typically in the spring

Prevention is Key

As a homeowner, there are several things you can do to prevent termites from thinking your home is their home:

• Reduce all soil-to-wood contact around your home
• Remove any wood, lumber, cardboard, etc. from around the foundation
• Make a 4-inch barrier between your home and mulch
• Storm drains need to drain a few feet away from your foundation
• Fix leaky faucets and other sources of excess moisture

It’s been said that there are two types of homes: Homes that have termites and those that will have termites. Therefore, even if you take these preventative measures, you may still have termites in your home.

Termite Inspection and Control

At B & D Pest Solutions LLC, we will act quickly and effectively and put an end to your termite problems. Regular inspections are the key to preventing termites from entering your home. We will get rid of your termite infestation with safe and minimal use of chemicals. Because of the proximity of humans to the infested areas, we take extra precautions to avoid any toxicity or allergies developing in our customers.