Six Secrets Termites Hope You Never Learn
1) They are small but not invisible.
Termites may be tiny, but they are visible. Plus, they leave several signs of their presence. A few of the ways that you can see termites or their impact include:
- Mud Tubes: Since termites are subterranean, they build mud tubes on the exterior walls of your house to get where they need to go. If you see mud tubes, you have a termite infestation.
- Wings: Termites will fly to search for a mate. Fortunately for you, they will eventually leave behind their tiny wings.
- Hollow Wood: They cannot munch on your house without doing damage. If you find hollow walls, steps, or flooring, you likely have a termite problem.
- Droppings: The presence of piles of droppings that look like sawdust or coffee grounds is indicative of termites eating your home.
- Doors and Windows: The damage termites do as they consume parts of your house can cause windows and doors to warp and stick.
2) You can often hear termites.
Believe it or not, sometimes you can actually hear termites doing damage to your home. Their heads will make something like a slight tapping or knocking sound. If you’re not listening for it, you will likely not recognize it as a termite infestation. Now that you know you can hear them, you can identify them.
3) Termites eat all the time.
Termites would be afraid to tell you that their appetites are never satiated. They are afraid that if you knew they ate constantly, you would be more inclined to react immediately at the very first sign of their presence. Unfortunately, they will not stop until there is nothing left to consume. Now that you know this secret, you can be sure waiting around for them to depart is not an option.
4) Termites can invade any home.
Termites do not want you to know that no home is safe. You might think that living in a home with aluminum siding or a brick home would prevent termites from entering the structure. However, termites can find something to consume in any type of house. Even if your home is built primarily from something besides wood, now you know to still be vigilant against a termite invasion.
5) You can deter termites from entering your home.
While it may not be possible to prevent termite invasions entirely, there are steps you can take to make your home less appetizing, including:
- Make sure there is at least a foot of clearance between shrubbery and your home.
- Termites are subterranean, so using pine needles instead of mulch around your home will help keep them away.
- Point sprinklers away from your house. Termites like moisture, so you do not want to make space closest to your house more inviting.
- Move wood piles away from your home's walls and foundation.
- Consider sealing your crawl space. Moist environments allow for organic growth, mildew growth, wood rot, and increases the likelihood of termite and pest infestations. A sealed crawl space can help prevent termites from ever entering your home.
Termites would rather you not know their invasion can be deterred. They want the easiest path possible to a meal made of your house. Do not let them march unimpeded to your basement doorstep.
6) Termites are afraid of professional exterminators.
Your best ally against termites is a professional extermination company. A professional pest exterminator will have the experience to quickly identify the presence of a termite infestation. In our sixty years of service in the Carolinas and Virginia, we have seen it all. Termites have no secrets from the team at Rid-A-Bug. When you call us, we perform an inspection and then, when needed, aggressively treat the area with Termidor, a non-repellent that allows the termites themselves to spread the treatment throughout their colonies for a quick and holistic treatment. Do not wait! At the first sign of a termite infestation, contact the expert exterminators at Rid-A-Bug.