Termites are tireless workers, adept at chewing through the wood in your Tampa home day and night. They literally work 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and that can cause more damage than you could even imagine. They cause American homeowners an average of 5 billion dollars in damages, and most of the time, home repairs aren't covered by insurance. Additionally, termites are known to reproduce and grow in numbers very quickly, which can make a small problem an unmanageable issue. Here are some tips to protect your home from silent swarmers.
Is It Bad To Live In A Home With Termites?
While termites are not known to be carriers of any particular diseases that are harmful to humans, people with pre-existing allergies or asthma may find it pretty unbearable to live in a home with a termite infestation. They produce a lot of moisture which can cause mold and mildew issues throughout the home, especially if a problem is left unchecked. Additionally, heating or ventilation systems can spread particles and dust from termite nests that are highly irritating.
Ways To Prevent A Termite Infestation
Homeowners want to prevent an infestation at all costs in their Tampa homes. As previously mentioned, termites cause a significant amount of damage each year, and in some cases, it’s insurmountable. Here are a few pointers that homeowners should be following without question:
- Termites are attracted to moisture, which is plentiful in this area, so homeowners should aim to avoid any moisture in or around their home’s foundation.
- Divert extra water away from the home with properly functioning gutters, downspouts, and splash blocks.
- Limit the use of mulch and make sure that any mulched areas are at least 15 inches from your home’s foundation.
- Routinely inspect the foundation of your home for mud tubes. This is a key sign that termites already exist in a big way.
Signs Of A Termite Infestation
Termites are tiny but mighty, so their destruction can be hard to spot. Here are a few clues that you might have a problem in your home:
- Hollow-sounding timber may signal that termites are busy chewing away.
- Pinholes with frass mean that termites have most likely moved along from an infestation spot, which may also mean that there is a second site of infestation in your home. This is a pretty clear exit signal.
- A pile of discarded wings is a pretty clear sign of swarmers, especially if they are found around rotting wood.
- Bubbling paint may signal that there is activity inside your walls and that termites are hard at work chewing away.
- Mud tubes are one of the most iconic signs of a termite infestation. They’re made of small pieces of soil and wood and are used to protect termites from predators and dryness while traveling between food sources and their nests.
DIY Termite Control
If you see any of the aforementioned signs of potential termite infestation, you should handle the situation swiftly before it grows too far out of control. Methods like insecticides, borates, orange oil, over-the-counter sprays, and vinegar may be helpful for reducing a termite population, but they will unlikely eliminate an entire infestation. In the end, it's best to reach out to a professional to eliminate and prevent a termite infestation. If you're worried about a termite infestation or suspect you already have a problem in your Tampa home, the professionals at EcoTech Pest Control can help. Reach out to us today to learn more about our termite control options!