A Litte Bit About Termites

Termites are not typical pests. They don’t fly or crawl into homes to find scraps of food or droplets of water. In fact, they don’t crawl into homes at all, but instead, chew through them. By their nature Termites are wood-destroying pests. If the wood of your home has been softened by water damage, rot, or decay, you can be sure termites will want to come around for a bite. The question is, how are termites able to stay out of sight? For one, termites are subterranean pests that build their nests underground. The only termites that can live out in the open for any length of time are winged termite swarmers.

Why Termites Are So Hard To Spot

Termites are hard to spot because of how they invade homes. They start underground in "invisible" colonies located deep beneath the ground. Next, they tunnel up to homes and look for soil-to-wood contact. If they cannot find this, they build discrete mud tubes that climb up to structural wood. Once up, termites will tunnel deep into the wood. To regulate conditions within the tunnels, termites dig tiny ventilation holes. These holes are about the size of a pinhead and are extremely difficult to spot. It isn’t until after years of damage has been done that signs of an infestation become apparent. Here are just a few signs that only show up after serious damage has occurred.

• Overly squeaky floorboards

• Tight-fitting doors and windows.

• Bubbling wallpaper or paint.

• Water-damaged and sagging drywall.

• Dipping floors/ ceilings.

• Buckled support beams.

• Visible tunnels running through the wood.

Three early signs you can use to identify termites are mud tubes, pin-sized ventilation holes, and the sound of soft clicking that can only be heard if you press your ear up against a termite-infested wall or piece of wood.

How To Reduce Factors That Attract Termites

To combat termites around your Wilmington property, you have to do two things: reduce attractants that draw them in, and limit the number of ways they can get into your home. Here are a few ways our experts recommend you do this.

• Remove dead trees, stumps, and old lumber from your yard.

• Keep your property clear of debris, leaf piles, cardboard, and other wood-based clutter.

• Avoid using wood-based mulch near the exterior of your home.

• Store woodpiles at least 30 feet away from your home.

• Repair or replace structural wood inside your home that has been negatively affected by water damage, rot, or decay.

• Fix leaky piping, repair broken gutters, and use a dehumidifier inside your home as needed.

The Best Tip To Keep Out Termites

The best way you can care for your home and keep it safe from termites is with professional pest control services offered here at Bug-N-A-Rug Exterminators.

If you suspect your home has a termite infestation, or you would like to find out for certain, reach out to us today.