It can be hard to identify termites, especially at the beginning stages of an infestation before the infestation and damage have begun to spread. However, taking care of termites in the early stages can have lasting benefits, and there is plenty that Washington D.C. pest control professionals like those of us at Miche Pest Control can do to help you stop termites in their tracks. Here's what you should know about these destructive insects and ways that you can get them out of your home and keep them from coming back.
How To Identify Signs Of Termites Around Your Home
Termites are secretive creatures, and it can be difficult to notice signs of their presence. Some symptoms of a termite infestation can include:
Mud tubes on exterior walls
Soft wood that sounds hollow when tapped
Darkening or blistering wood
Uneven or bubbling paint
Termite feces (also known as frass), which looks like sawdust and may be piled up near nesting areas
Discarded termite wings near doors or windowsills
If you notice these or other signs of termites inside your house, it's important to act quickly to address the infestation before it continues to spread.
How Termites Can Slowly And Silently Destroy Your Home
Termites are social insects with a singular purpose. They live in large groups and toil away 24 hours a day, seven days a week, consuming and breaking down cellulose material.
Because termites live underground and within our structures, eating them from the inside out, it is common not to be aware of the evidence of termite damage until it has become quite severe.
Termites that go undetected in a building will spread and begin new colonies in nearby locations, breaking down your home from multiple vantage points. This can result in substantial structural damage that costs homeowners thousands of dollars to repair on average.
Factors That Attract Termites To Your Home
While identifying termites can be challenging, there are things you can do to avoid termite damage. Some of the best termite prevention tips include eliminating factors that attract termites. You can do this with the following steps:
Avoid water accumulation near your foundation by maintaining drainage systems.
Reduce humidity in your basement and crawlspace with proper ventilation and dehumidifiers.
Seal cracks and crevices in your home's foundation.
Eliminate wood to soil contact.
Remove brush piles, tree stumps, and other organic debris from your yard.
Minimizing factors that attract termites can give you better odds of avoiding an infestation. However, it's still important to be vigilant in looking for signs of an infestation. The sooner you can catch an infestation, the less expenses you will face.
Call The Professionals At The First Sign Of Termites In Your Home
It can be hard to spot the signs of termites before they have done extensive damage and spread throughout your home. The best termite identification strategy is annual inspections by a pest control professional, and the best termite control company for your Washington D.C. home is Miche Pest Control. Give us a call today to find out more about how we can help safeguard your home from termites. Whether you need to get rid of a current infestation or are looking to catch one before it starts, we have expert technicians ready to keep your Washington D.C. home free of termites now and in the future. Call today to find out more about our termite control options and all of the ways that we can help keep your home and family safe from termites and other local pests.