For a microscopic insect, termites are sure to cause a lot of damage. Termites cause property damage in the millions every year. The vast majority of homeowners don’t even realize they have a termite infestation. The best way to fight termites is to keep them from invading your home. Commitment to prevention and a professional touch go a long way. Read on to learn all about the signs of termites. Learn about termite killing and how a pest control company can save you thousands through prevention.
What are the signs of termites?
The first step in fighting termites is a thorough inspection. You may be wondering what to look for when you have termites. While a professional pest control company is best for an inspection, there are a few common signs to watch out for. Read on for a breakdown of the most common signs of termites:
Click walls
If you listen carefully, you can often hear the sounds of a termite infestation. Worker termites are noisy insects. You can actually hear them crunch on the wood. You can also hear clicking noises from the wall. This is due to soldier termites communicating with their colony. The soldier termites hit their heads against the forest as a sign of need.
Wing remnants
Another sign of termite infestation is discarded wings. You can find these on a windowsill or in any other area around your house. Flying termites are often referred to as swarmers or alates. You are leaving the nest to start a new colony, possibly in your home. Their wings are thrown away after identifying a mate.
Check the outside
A thorough inspection can reveal termite damage on the outside of your home. For example, it is common for door panels to be eaten, especially near the floor. Look at areas around your home that have mulch or soft soil. If you dig six inches into the ground, it is not uncommon to see creeping termites. They are attracted to the wood chips contained in the mulch. Mud pipes are another thing to look for. They can often be found along the foundation or the wooden beams. These tubes are built by the termites to create a passage between the outside and the inside of your home.
Soft walls
This is a sign that occurs after the termites cause significant damage to the home. It starts with seeing an area of your drywall that looks different. Maybe the paint is slightly discolored or looks wavy. You go over to take a closer look and the spot is soft. This is because pests have eaten their way through the frame materials or drywall. There must be nothing left but the color. The problem can be so severe that the damaged area is paper thin.
Structural problems
At its most destructive point, a termite infestation causes serious structural problems in your home. Wooden structures are potentially hollowed out. You can knock on a wooden beam and quickly see that it is hollow. In some cases, the floors begin to sag. This occurs when the wood frame materials can no longer support the weight of the floor.
How can you kill termites?
Now that you know how to spot termites, it’s time to eradicate them. Unfortunately, there is no panacea for termites. You can’t run to the store and buy an over-the-counter product to cure your termite problem. This is because clear signs of termites are likely to mean widespread infestation in other hidden areas of your home. In the next section, we’ll cover how a pest control company is likely to treat your home.
Termite inspection
The first step in the cancellation process is a thorough termite inspection. While you can spot termite signs, a professional examination is needed to determine the appropriate treatment. Experts agree that regular termite controls are necessary to prevent an infestation. As a rule of thumb, schedule a termite inspection at least once a year, while in some high risk areas, an inspection every 6 months is recommended.
Treatment options
Chemical termite barriers are a common choice of termite treatment for household and commercial properties. Often referred to as termiticides, termite chemicals are applied to the ground as a liquid solution and injected into the concrete surfaces around the property. This forms a perimeter barrier to protect against termites. For termite control or prevention prior to construction, the pest control company may install a physical barrier that is a material impregnated with termite. There is also a termite bait / monitoring system in which termite bait stations are inserted into the ground around the house. These bait stations are then monitored for signs of termites and become a bait station for the termites to feed on, thereby eliminating the colony. If the infestation is large, you may need a home improvement to do repairs. Termite-infested wood is a structural risk and needs to be addressed. It is possible that you will need to replace the flooring, wood frame, and more due to a termite infestation.
Is Termite Killing a DIY Project?
Most of the time, the answer to this question is no. While you now have a basic understanding of what to look for, a professional will inspect and evaluate the property and provide the best termite treatment or prevention service for your property. Pest control companies are also licensed and insured for this work. They also have the right tools and equipment for this work to ensure that the treatment installed is up to Australian standards. With years of experience, pest control companies know exactly where and what to look out for when dealing with termites. Termites are often discovered in hard-to-reach areas that only a specialist knows. In addition, they have appropriate personal protective equipment to ensure safety during the destruction process, especially when working with chemicals.
When should you hire a pest control company?
If you see signs of termites, it’s time to contact a professional pest control company. There is no time to waste as the termites may have wreaked havoc on property. A treatment recommendation can follow after an inspection. These include chemical barriers or termite baits. Annual controls are also recommended as an industry standard.
Chris is the Managing Director of Sydney-based pest control company Forensic Pest Management Services. Chris has been in the industry for well over 20 years and is valued for his expertise in the commercial real estate sector.
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