Termites are a nightmare for any homeowner, and most people hire professional services to regularly treat their property with chemicals in order to evade these destructive pests. However, if you do not wish to regularly pay the costs of an exterminator, you need to know how to identify if your home is being overrun by an infestation. Checking for termites on a frequent basis is necessary for preventing extensive household damages.
The presence of swarming termites is one sign that your house contains a nest. These young, winged creatures are sent from their established termite nest each spring in order to build their own habitats. Thousands of them are released at a time, and it is not difficult to find them maneuvering through your home. They are also frequently found caught within spider webs. Though they appear to look like ants, the termites' beaded antennae and wing size help you to identify their true nature.
Analyzing the foundation of your home is the next step in termite inspection. The insects build tunnels to safely navigate through their environment. To the human eye, these tunnels look like little brown straws. If you see these structures, you need to make sure that they are not the remnants of an old infestation. Cut into the tunnel and wait a few days. If termites are present, they will repair the damage you caused. In addition to the foundation of your home, water pipes, crawl spaces, attics and basements are common habitats for termites.
Tunnels are not the only evidence of the presence of termites. The existence of mud inside small holes and cracks in your home's foundation are also warning signs. Termites create this mud to preserve their humid environmental conditions, and you should inspect the imperfections of a foundation in order to detect indications of this substance.
Wood damage does not usually occur until an infestation is quite severe, but tapping on the wood in your home can be a valuable way of finding termites. Wood that has been hollowed out sounds far different from healthy lumber. Tapping that yields a dull or flat sound is a strong sign that termites are in the area.
Identifying swarming termites, tunnels, mud and hollow wood are all ways of checking for termites. If you do discover the presence of a nest, you should immediately contact an exterminator to eliminate it. Though you may not want to hire a service on a regular basis, seeking professional assistance guarantees that your home is free of these harmful creatures.
The presence of swarming termites is one sign that your house contains a nest. These young, winged creatures are sent from their established termite nest each spring in order to build their own habitats. Thousands of them are released at a time, and it is not difficult to find them maneuvering through your home. They are also frequently found caught within spider webs. Though they appear to look like ants, the termites' beaded antennae and wing size help you to identify their true nature.
Analyzing the foundation of your home is the next step in termite inspection. The insects build tunnels to safely navigate through their environment. To the human eye, these tunnels look like little brown straws. If you see these structures, you need to make sure that they are not the remnants of an old infestation. Cut into the tunnel and wait a few days. If termites are present, they will repair the damage you caused. In addition to the foundation of your home, water pipes, crawl spaces, attics and basements are common habitats for termites.
Tunnels are not the only evidence of the presence of termites. The existence of mud inside small holes and cracks in your home's foundation are also warning signs. Termites create this mud to preserve their humid environmental conditions, and you should inspect the imperfections of a foundation in order to detect indications of this substance.
Wood damage does not usually occur until an infestation is quite severe, but tapping on the wood in your home can be a valuable way of finding termites. Wood that has been hollowed out sounds far different from healthy lumber. Tapping that yields a dull or flat sound is a strong sign that termites are in the area.
Identifying swarming termites, tunnels, mud and hollow wood are all ways of checking for termites. If you do discover the presence of a nest, you should immediately contact an exterminator to eliminate it. Though you may not want to hire a service on a regular basis, seeking professional assistance guarantees that your home is free of these harmful creatures.