6 Things You Need To Know About Termite Infestations

Termite Infestation
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Termites contribute to over 40% of all homeowners’ problems. They are common pests that can wreak havoc on buildings and furniture. Moreover, a termite infestation can affect the structural integrity of walls and flooring, making them relatively dangerous. Spotting such infestations early on can help you save thousands in pest control. Read on for more information on them.

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Duration of Infestation

An infestation by termites can be a year-round problem. Termites are social insects that live in underground colonies. They have no stomach, so they feed on wood and other cellulose materials. While you usually won’t see termites or their damage, it’s best to be proactive about checking for them regularly.

Susceptibility of Wood

Termites are insects that live in colonies and feed on wood. They can be destructive pests, but there’s no need to panic: it’s not difficult to control them once you know what to do.

Wood-eating termites are attracted to moisture and cellulose, a chemical found in the cell walls of plants and trees. Termites commonly eat softwoods like pine, fir, cedar and redwood—and hardwoods like oak and maple—because these trees contain high amounts of cellulose. The type of wood they prefer varies by species; some termite species will even eat concrete or plastic if they’re desperate enough!

Termite infestations often start in basements and crawlspaces.

Termites are attracted to moisture and wood. They’re also attracted to the soil and crawlspaces in your home where they can build their nest. If you have a basement, you likely have a crawlspace under it that connects the basement with the ground outside. That’s where termites often start an infestation because there’s no water table in basements like in other parts of a house, such as kitchens or bathrooms.

When these little pests get into your home, they’ll begin eating through floorboards or furniture—anything made out of wood, really—which can be very difficult or impossible to repair once these tiny bugs have gnawed through it!

Drywood Termites

Drywood termite infestations are caused by dry wood termites which feed on dry wood without any contact with the soil. This is why they are often found in attics and porches.

Drywood termites also hide inside walls or in other house areas, such as behind baseboards, window frames, or under floorboards. Drywood termites can cause damage to your home even if you don’t see them because they secret an odourless substance called frass while eating away at your property.

Infestation Signs

If you spot signs of an infestation, don’t wait until you have a problem before calling for help. This is especially important because waiting can increase the risk of your home’s structural damage getting worse. In fact, homeowners who receive early detection and treatment from termite experts have been shown to save more than half on repairs compared to those who wait until the later stages of an infestation before contacting a pest control company.

If you think there might be termites in your house, here are some signs to look out for:

  • Visible evidence such as mud tubes or faecal pellets underground where there are no visible above-ground signs of damage (for example, hollowed-out wood)
  • Termite swarmers flying in late summer/early fall
  • Noises from inside the walls while they’re heating up

Tips for Hiring Pest Control for Termites

  • Check with your local building code agency to see if they have any restrictions on the type of treatment you can use.
  • Speak with your insurance company to see if they will cover the cost of treatment.
  • Check with your local municipality to see if they require a permit for pest control.