Signs That You Have Termites in Your Home and What To Do About It
Termites. This one pest can cause thousands of dollars in damage if allowed to remain in your home. In fact, these small bugs cause an estimated $5 billion dollars in damage to American homes and businesses each year. Since many home insurance plans don’t cover damage caused by termites, it’s important to look for signs of termites and call in the professionals to exterminate any before your home becomes severely damaged.
Do you have termites? Here are a few signs to look for in your home.
Wood Damage
Damage to wooden structures is probably the number one sign that your home could be infested with termites. Outwards signs of termite infestation or termite damage resemble water damage. Look for floors that are sagging or floors that feel spongy. Large infestations can also cause mildew, musky smell.
Termites can also cause windows to stick or not open properly if they are tunneling near a window sill. The same also goes for doors.
Wings
Subterranean termites tend to swarm during the spring season. In fact, many homeowners confuse swarmers with flying ants and tend to not pay them any attention. As they are out looking for a new place to call home and build up their colonies, they shed their wings. If you notice more than the average number of insect wings located in a central location such as light fixtures, doorways, and windows, you may have termites in your home.
Mud Tubes/Tunnels
One of the most common tell-tale signs that termites have invaded your home is the tube/tunnel they create. These tunnels look like hardened mud and are usually as wide as a pencil. These tunnels are how termites travel from underground to infested wood areas like your home. They can usually be spotted running near the foundation of your home.
Where to Look for Signs of Termites in Your Home
Subterranean termites like damp, dark, and warm places. They can be found underground, but sometimes they tunnel their way to the surface in search of more food. While it is well known that termites love to eat wood, they also feast on dead plants and trees. Some termites even eat paper, plastic, and drywall. For this reason, it is very important to look for termite-friendly locations in your home. Because of moisture, termites love kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms.
The Best Time to Get Rid of Termites in Arkansas
Any time is a good time to get rid of termites. However, termites are less active during the winter months. The colder weather causes termites to stay closer to their nest and closer to food sources. Because of this, termites are more predictable, easier to locate and exterminate.
Call Hopper Termite & Pest, Inc. Today!
Don’t wait until termites have caused thousands of dollars in home and property damage. Professionally trained technicians, such as the technicians at Hopper Termite & Pest, Inc., can spot signs of active or previously active colonies of termites in and around your home in Arkansas and southern Missouri.
After the initial inspection, Hopper can provide a termite treatment plan just for you. With our Termite Protection Plan, we treat your home or business with a liquid barrier treatment or install a termite detection and baiting system. Then we provide an annually renewable warranty against termite infestation and, in most cases, against any damage caused by termites thereafter. A trained technician will thoroughly inspect your home for termites each year while covered under our Termite Protection Plan.
Protect your home. Protect your investment with Hopper Termite & Pest, Inc.
