Believe it or not, termites are known to cause more damage to homes than natural disasters each year. In fact, these annoying pests can get into the wood structures of your home and completely destroy them if left unchecked. With the wood as their food source, they can burrow deep into your foundation and the wall beams and set up vast networks of colonies. Unless you get expert help to remove these colonies, termites can quickly multiply and cause massive (and expensive) damage to even new homes.
What are the signs of termite damage?
The good news is it takes years for a termite infestation to completely destroy a home. And, chances are good that homeowners will see signs of damage sooner rather than later and be able to get a pest control team to take care of the issue. Here are the signs to look for that may indicate a termite problem is lurking:
Buckling ceilings or walls.
As long as this can’t be explained by water damage or storm damage, walls or ceiling damage with no apparent cause could be as a result of termites. Termites like to burrow in and eat the wood, including the wood frame of the house, which can cause caving in that is easy to spot.
Maze designs in your wood.
Whether you have a wood patio or exposed wood beams in your home, if you notice intricate tunnel-like structures in them, this could be a sign of a termite infestation.
Mud tunnels near your home’s foundation.
Typically termites will create tunnels leading into and out of the home. This can be visible through the mud and exterior wood structures of the home.
Good to Know
Even if you don’t suspect a termite issue, it’s always best practice to have a pest control company perform an annual inspection of your home.
How can homeowners get rid of termites?
Unlike other insects that are usually visible within the home, like ants or roaches, termites usually live in the walls of the home, making it hard to spray or trap them.
Even if you don’t suspect a termite issue, it’s always best practice to have a pest control company perform an annual inspection of your home. That way you’ll be able to spot any pest issues early on before they spiral into infestations.
If you notice termite damage, you’ll want to hire a reputable pest control team to come in and assess the problem and apply the appropriate termite treatment. Once they have eliminated the termites and their source of entry to your home, then you can repair the damage done. There’s no reason to repair termite damage until you have addressed the issue and eliminated them completely from your home.
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