How much damage can termites in your Anna, Texas home cause? In a word: a lot! Termites are one of the most dangerous pests to your property because they can do so much damage that they can eventually cause a total loss. Part of the reason a termite infestation is so dangerous is that termite nests can go undetected for years. Termites don’t leave their nests very often, meaning you might not notice they’re there until you’ve already incurred severe damage. What’s even worse is that home remedies for termites rarely work. If you wind up with an infestation, you need the pros.
What Are The Signs Of Termites?
Signs of termites are subtle early on in an infestation. This is because individuals rarely leave the termite colony except to reproduce. And since only mature termite colonies send out alates, an infestation has plenty of time to establish itself before you get wise to it.
One of the earliest signs you might notice is termite frass. Frass is a mix of termite droppings and sawdust. You might start seeing little piles of pellets and wood shavings in corners or on windowsills. If you begin noticing termite frass with no explanation, look for pinholes in the walls surrounding it. Termites use kick-out holes to get rid of their waste so that you can find little holes in the walls or ceiling early on in an infestation.
Once the infestation gets going, however, the signs won’t be subtle at all. You will probably see swarms of winged reproductive adults performing their mating rituals around your home. You will also start to notice damage, including, but not limited to:
- Buckled floors
- Warped walls
- Drooping ceilings
- Track marks through wood
- Windows and doors that don’t fit in their frames
- Inexplicable rot or “water” damage
Can I Do Anything About An Infestation On My Own?
The main thing you as a home or business owner can do to protect yourself from termites is to prevent them. Once a termite colony has established itself on your property, there are very few things you can do on your own. That’s why keeping a termite infestation from establishing itself in the first place should be your first line of defense. Anti-termite preventative measures include:
- Address moisture issues by fixing plumbing problems and using dehumidifiers to dry out places like basements and crawlspaces.
- Seal all cracks and holes in your home’s exterior.
- Prevent wood-to-ground contact by keeping mulch from touching your home’s foundation and keeping branches trimmed away from your home.
- Store firewood at least 20 feet away from your home’s exterior.
- Get rid of rotten or damaged wood components in your house, as softened wood is easier for termites to tunnel through.
When Should I Call In The Experts?
As soon as you find a termite nest on your property, it’s time to call the experts. You might be tempted to try some home remedies for termites like termite baits or termite traps. However, most of these do-it-yourself (DIY) anti-termite measures are ineffective. Termite colonies are vast, complex entities. Mature nests send out reproductive alates to found satellite nests – meaning you could have not just one colony but a whole network of colonies around your home. Treating the big nests won’t do anything but make room for the small nests you don’t notice growing and taking their place.
That means you’ll need expert help, and because termites compound the damage they do every second they’re in your home, you’ll need expert help as soon as you realize you have them. At EcoArmor Pest Defense, our certified termite experts can find all termite nests in your home, not just the big ones. We’ll help you eliminate your entire infestation and ensure it never comes back, so give us a call or visit our contact page to schedule your termite control service today!
