When you see a termite alone, it doesn't look like it will eat you out of your house and home. But when you see a whole colony of termites and see the structural damage they cause, you are likely to change your mind about that single, blind, tiny termite. Thankfully, termites can leave behind clues that are present on your property. Knowing what to look for, identifying and removing termite attractants, and hiring routine Anaheim pest control services will help you with termite control and hopefully keep you from ever having to deal with a termite problem.
You're Likely Never To See A Termite
Termites are silent destroyers based on their ability to move into your home and chew through wood and flooring virtually undetected. They can crawl into your house through cracks and crevices in your foundation or fly into your attic, where they will tunnel into and eat the wood holding your home together. Having regular termite checks from the professionals at A-1 Bonded Termite is the best way to get rid of termites and keep them from coming into your home.
Signs Of Termites To Look For Around Your House
Although spotting the termites themselves is highly unlikely, no matter what kind of termites you have in your home, there are certain signs you can look for that will let you know you might have a termite infestation:
- Swarmers: These are winged, adult termites that fly together in groups. You are most likely to see a swarm coming out of, or very near to, your house. Different species of termites swarm at different times of the year, which helps with termite identification.
- Mud Tubes: Seeing pencil-width tubes made from wood pieces, soil, mud, and saliva, sometimes spread out like veins on the outside of your home's foundation, indicates the presence of termites. These tubes are how the termites travel without being detected.
- Discarded Wings: Even though swarmers have wings, they are not known for being great fliers. They will shed their wings and crawl away, so seeing piles of discarded wings, mainly on windowsills and near doors, indicates a termite problem.
- Wood Issues: There are several ways to test wood around the home to see if termites have affected it. Soft wood that sounds hollow, uneven, or bubbling paint (typically around doors and window frames) or the darkening or blistering of wood are all indicators that something is not normal, and termites may be to blame.
Keeping an eye out for signs and maintaining regular pest control services will help keep them from invading your home and costing you money repairing damage or the tenting of your home to eradicate them.
How To Identify And Remove Factors That Attract Termites
Termites eat cellulose primarily found in wood, grass, and leaves. Certain termite species prefer soft, damp wood, so ensuring your property doesn’t have standing water is the first step to identifying and removing termite attractants. Here are a few other factors to remove from your property to discourage termites from invading:
- Tree Stumps: Stumps become attractants as the dead wood rots and becomes soft and moist. And once the termites have invaded your yard, it’s only a matter of time before they make their way into your home.
- Wood Piles: Again, termites are attracted to the darkness and dampness that outside woodpiles can provide, so keeping stacks of firewood away from your home and elevated off the ground can help keep termites away from your house.
- Mulch: This groundcover is excellent for your garden, but the layers of dried wood are a buffet for termites. Keeping mulch away from your home's foundation will help deter termites from infesting your house.
These tips can help keep termites from coming onto your property and invading your home. Adding routine pest control from the experts at A-1 Bonded Termite is the ultimate way to keep termites away from your house.
Contact The Pros At The First Sign Of Termites In Your House
Without routine termite control at your Anaheim property, these tiny insects can wreak havoc on your home and cause significant damage within two to three years. Our highly trained experts at A-1 Bonded Termite recommend an annual termite inspection to ensure the structural safety of your home and alleviate your worries about these pests. If a termite infestation is identified, based on the species and the amount of infestation, we will work with you to develop a customized plan within your budget. Call us to schedule an appointment today.