It’s human nature. When we don’t want to deal with something, we put it off for another day. If something stresses us out, we avoid it until it becomes unavoidable. The bills pile up until we absolutely have to pay them, and the laundry piles up until we absolutely have to fold it (and some of us are still pulling clean clothes straight out of the hamper). Maybe we’re too busy, or we just don’t enjoy dealing with responsibilities all the time. Unfortunately, if we treat termites the same way we deal with other kinds of life’s inconveniences, we’ll find that putting things off can become very costly for our home in San Tan Valley.

Catch The Signs Early

Did you know that a termite infestation can cause more than $3,000 worth of damage if you let it go unchecked for just a year? If there were termites eating their way through the wooden structures of your home right now, would you know? Catching a termite infestation early can save you thousands, so keep an eye out for the following signs of termite activity on your property:

• Frass: This is a substance created as termites make nests out of the wooden structures in your home. They’ll kick their droppings out of the nest, and it will mix with the wood pellets to create frass that will appear on your floor next to walls.
• Swarmers: Although termites are active all year-round, they’ll typically only colonize in the summer months following a few days of rain. Swarmers are the winged termites in charge of colonization who will congregate in a large, grey cloud on a warm day after a rainstorm. If you see one of these swarms, a new colony on your property or a nearby property is imminent.
• Tightening Around Doors And Windows: If you begin feeling like your doors and windows are becoming difficult to open and shut, this can be a sign of termite damage within the wooden frames.
• Soft Clicking Noises Within The Walls: As termites work, they’ll emit subtle noises.By ignoring these sounds or writing them off as something else could cost you and allow them to work unnoticed for months.

Constantly monitoring your home for these signs can be a hassle, so don’t make yourself paranoid. However, keep in mind how much money you could be losing by not paying attention. Call the experts at Ozone Pest Control to monitor your home and unwanted pests!

Preventative Measures

If you see these signs of infestation, you’ll need to get professional help immediately. Unfortunately, there isn’t much you can do about them yourself once they’ve gotten a foothold without experienced help. However, there are a few things you can do to help prevent your home from attracting termite activity:

• Monitoring Moisture Levels: Termites prefer to nest in moist, softened, or rotting wood, so you have to monitor the moisture in your home. Your crawl spaces may require a dehumidifier, as these spaces are usually not air-conditioned. You’ll also want to check for leaking pipes regularly, as even the slightest drip can create wood rot and attract termites.
• Expelling Rain Runoff: A proper gutter and downspout system will help to keep rainwater from pooling up near the side of the house. If the wooden parts of the foundation have water sitting next to them for too long, they can easily rot.
• Limiting Soil-To-Wood Contact: Creating a buffer between the soil and the wooden portions of your home’s foundation can prevent termites from finding their way into your home easily.

While all these practices can be semi-effective, there are no guaranteed methods of do-it-yourself termite control. For protection you can count on, you’ll need to enlist the help of professional pest control services at Ozone Pest Control. They have many plans and options to save you time and money. Contact the professionals at Ozone Pest Control today!