How to Terminate Termites
Valerie Brosseau • April 8, 2019
Top signs you have Termites and what you can do about it!
According to the National Pest Management Association, termites cause an estimated $5 Billion dollars in damages to homes and businesses each year. It may even surprise you to know that these tiny pests cause more damage to St. Charles County MO homes than flood, fire, and wind combined! So how do you know if you may have termites?
Here are 5 Visible signs that you might have a termite infestation.
1. Mud Tubes on Exterior Walls
It is a well known fact that termites travel in tunnels made of mud as they search for food sources. A good sign that you may have a termite problem is mud tubes along the exterior walls of your home, such as around the garage, or patio for example.
It is a well known fact that termites travel in tunnels made of mud as they search for food sources. A good sign that you may have a termite problem is mud tubes along the exterior walls of your home, such as around the garage, or patio for example.
2. Hollow Wood
Ok, it may seem obvious that if your foot goes through the front porch that you could have a termite issue, but one of the clear signs is hollow wood. Termites eat 24 hours a day/7 days a week, so seeing hollow logs or wood around your property could be a key indicator. Cracked paint may also signify a larger problem. Looking at the trees around your property you may also notice little designs carved into the wood. This is an indication of a wood eating pest.
Ok, it may seem obvious that if your foot goes through the front porch that you could have a termite issue, but one of the clear signs is hollow wood. Termites eat 24 hours a day/7 days a week, so seeing hollow logs or wood around your property could be a key indicator. Cracked paint may also signify a larger problem. Looking at the trees around your property you may also notice little designs carved into the wood. This is an indication of a wood eating pest.
3. Discarded Wings
Termite Swarms generally stay close to their nest, within 600 to 900 feet, and they tend to lose wings along the way. Many times, you will see these discarded wings along window seals, doors, or cracked openings.
Termite Swarms generally stay close to their nest, within 600 to 900 feet, and they tend to lose wings along the way. Many times, you will see these discarded wings along window seals, doors, or cracked openings.
4. Cracked Entry Points
You’re more likely to have termites if your home or business is an attractive environment for termites. Termites enter through wood-to-ground contact. This means signs are often found near door-frames, deck posts, and porch steps. They also exploit cracks in your foundation. Finally, they prefer moisture. If you have poor drainage in your yard, have pooling water around your gutters, or live near a creek, river, pond or stream– the more likely that termites will be nearby.
You’re more likely to have termites if your home or business is an attractive environment for termites. Termites enter through wood-to-ground contact. This means signs are often found near door-frames, deck posts, and porch steps. They also exploit cracks in your foundation. Finally, they prefer moisture. If you have poor drainage in your yard, have pooling water around your gutters, or live near a creek, river, pond or stream– the more likely that termites will be nearby.
Finally, if you suspect that you may have termites, give the pros at Buckingham Pest Control a call. We offer termite inspections throughout St. Charles County, St. Louis County and Jefferson County in Missouri.
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