How To Identify And Get Rid Of Termites On Your Fort Mills Property
October 8, 2023
Fort Mills termite control services can help to clear out persistent termite problems in your home. Professional control is always the best solution.
But we want to talk about more today than just termite control. Knowledge is power, and understanding termites is the first step to keeping them away from your home for good.
Join us for an overview of termite identification, termite damage, effective termite prevention, and, of course, the benefits of calling in the professionals.
How To Identify Signs Of Termite Activity
To start things off, what are some of the signs of termite activity? Termites inevitably leave clues of their presence, and you can use those clues against them.
For example, termites leave droppings outside of their tunnels that look like pepper. On certain wood surfaces, you will also be able to see squiggly patterns that mark termite tunnels. You can also do a cursory check for termites by tapping on wooden objects or supports. If they sound hollow, they may have been affected by termites.
One of the clearest signs of termite activity is the termites themselves. If you’re wondering how termites look, they look somewhat similar to ants, with coloring of beige, tan, or black. Termites only have wings at certain times, specifically when reproductive termites leave their current colonies to look for a place to start a new colony.
Termites can also leave what are called mud tubes on foundations and other surfaces. These allow them to move between ground-based colonies and parts of your home without being exposed to the open air. Any one of these or any combination of these signs could indicate the presence of termites, and the presence of termites should always be dealt with immediately.
The Extent Of Damage Termites Can Cause To Your Property
Termite damage starts relatively small and builds over time. Initial signs of termite damage include some of the signs we talked about above: minor damage to wooden structures, tunnels, and droppings.
If left unattended for months or even years, termites can cause far more extensive damage. Basically, nearly all homes use some form of wooden support structure throughout. This structure is the bones of the house. Termites cause damage to wood on a daily basis.
Structural damage can be both hazardous and costly. To give you just an idea of how costly this damage can become over time, we found that minor termite damage typically costs just a few hundred dollars, while moderate to severe damage can cost thousands, or even tens of thousands, of dollars to repair.
So, you can see why early detection and prevention are so useful in protecting your Fort Mills home from termites.
How To Identify And Remove Factors That Attract Termites
Like any other kind of pest, termites are attracted by certain factors. These termite prevention tips will help you address the factors relevant to termites so that you can stop infestations before they start.
- Make sure that your house isn’t providing any sources of standing water.
- Minimize the amount of moisture or humidity in your house.
- If you keep firewood, store it as far away from your house as possible and elevate it off the ground.
- Make sure that all gutters are draining properly.
- Repair openings in the exterior of your house and foundation.
- Regularly check visible wooden elements of your house, such as door frames, window frames, and baseboards, for signs of termites.
These tips can help you prevent termites from gaining access to your home and deprive them of the moisture they need to survive. If your house doesn’t provide them with the ingredients for a successful colony, they won’t come near.
Contact Us For Termite Control Done The Right Way
Termite control is the be-all and end-all of avoiding termite-related damage. Professional pest control specialists have the training and the equipment necessary to efficiently remove termites from residential properties. Professionals can also work with you to find the solution that’s best for the unique needs of your home.
For more information on residential and commercial pest control services in Fort Mills, get in touch with Go-Forth Pest Control today.
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