Termites are one of the most dangerous pests known for causing major structural damage to homes. It’s important to know the signs of a termite problem so you can eradicate it before these bugs devastate your property. Keep reading to learn more about the signs of termites and how to get rid of them.
What Do Termite Swarmers Look Like?
Finding termite swarmers around your property is a good indication of an infestation. Termite colonies send out winged termites, or swarmers, to establish a new colony when the current one has reached full capacity. The swarmers will leave the colony and fly towards light sources in the hopes of discovering soil. However, they only have a few hours to do so, as they cannot live very long exposed to the air.
Termite swarmers are generally the same tan or off-white color as regular termites. They have two sets of wings as well as two antennae. The wings are equal in size and have a veiny, translucent appearance. Many homeowners mistake termite swarmers for flying ants, as they are very similar in appearance. The main difference between ants and termites is that ants have a segmented body while termites do not.
Flying Termites Could Be The First Warning Sign
Swarmers are just one of the signs of termites you may discover. It’s important to recognize other clues that you may have a termite problem to call for help before the situation worsens. Bubbling paint, small holes in your walls, or peeling wallpaper could signal termites are damaging the walls behind the scenes. Termite damage looks very similar to water damage, so make sure to take a close look. You might also notice stuck doors and windows because termite damage to wooden framing can make them hard to open and close.
Termite droppings, or “frass,” are left in piles around homes and are a major sign of a drywood termite problem. Frass looks like small piles of wood shavings, and you will usually spot it near the walls with an infestation. Subterranean termites create mud tubes to shield them from the air as they make their way around your property. These mud tubes are commonly found on and around a home’s foundation and along masonry walls. If you notice any of these telltale red flags, it’s time to call a termite expert near you.
Six Tips To Stay Ahead Of The Termite Problem
Termites are a huge headache for homeowners, but luckily there are plenty of ways to reduce your risk of an infestation. Here are six top tips for keeping these pests from damaging your property.
- Keep plants close to your house neat and trimmed. Termites can use trees and shrubs as bridges to gain access to your home. Mow your lawn regularly and clear your yard of leaf piles and debris.
- Reduce wood-to-soil contact, especially near your home’s foundation. If you use mulch for landscaping, keep it at least four feet from your exterior walls. Keep firewood at least 20 feet away from your house.
- Remove termite food sources from your property, such as old cardboard, paper products, and dead trees.
- Caulk or seal all gaps in your foundation and external walls. Repair or replace leaky pipes and seal around pipes that lead outdoors.
- Keep moisture away from your foundation. Unclog gutters to keep rainwater flowing away from your home.
- Replace any rotted wood inside your home with termite-resistant pressure-treated wood or steel.
When preventative measures fail, it might be time to call an expert in termite removal, like Ozone Pest Control.
Professional Termite Control In Chandler
Don’t let a termite problem keep you up at night. Ozone Pest Control has been a trusted source of termite pest control in Chandler since 1997. Our highly-trained staff uses the latest in extermination technology to get rid of termites for good. Give us a call today to learn more about how we can help.
