Termites cause over 5 billion dollars’ worth of damage each year and another 2.2 billion is spent on the control of them each year. The will invade any structure and your best defense is quality prevention. Our area’s most common found termite is the eastern subterranean termite. For many homeowners, the first sign of termite infestation is a swarm of flying insects. Not all swarming insects are termites, some are flying ants. There are a few physical characteristics that determine if what you see is a termite or ant. Winged termites have four equal length wings, straight antenna, and a broad waist. Winged ants have unequal wing lengths, elbowed antenna, and a pinched waist. Termites may be small, but there are a huge threat to your home. The best way to avoid a termite infestation is to understand the warning signs and be proactive in inspecting your home for termites in the Roanoke Rapids and Lake Gaston areas.
Here are 5 warning signs of termites:
1. WATCH OUT FOR SWARMS
Reproductive termites are call "swarmers". When these swarmers take flight it is called a swarm. They are taking flight to look for a new place to start a colony. Most of the time this only occurs in spring, but sometimes can occur in the fall. If you think you see a swarm, immediately call the Roanoke Rapids, NC and Lake Gaston, NC termite specialist, here at BugLink, for an inspection.
2. WATCH FOR MUD TUBES
Termites need both moist and protected spaces to survive, therefore, they build small tunnels to navigate above the soil. These "mud tubes" will appear near your home's foundation, or on any wood close to your home's foundation. These mud tubes present brown and they are about the diameter of a pen or pencil. If you see something that resembles a mud tube in your home in Roanoke Rapids or Lake Gaston, you could be at risk.
3. WATCH FOR SOFTENING OR HOLLOW WOOD
Because termites thrive in moist, small, dark environments, they often eat wood structures from the inside out. The wood may appear to the untouched and intact, but upon inspection, it will make a hollow sound when tapped. The termites are eat their way from the inside out.
4. WATCH FOR OTHER FOOD SOURCES
A very common misunderstanding is that termites will only infest your home from the foundation up. But, unfortunately, they will find their way to your house any way they can. Homes that are the most susceptible to infestations have an abundance of wood and wood structures within a close proximity to their home's foundation. Termites love to feast on playsets, firewood, newspapers, and mulch. Regularly monitor these areas to make sure termites have not found their way there. A good prevention measure is removing this items if possible from your home's foundation.
5. WATCH FOR POOLING WATER AND AREAS OF MOISTURE
Pooling water and moisture in and around your home is an open invitation for termites. If you have any pooling water around your home, you should keep a check on these areas, especially if close to your foundation. Another good prevention measure is if you have any leaky faucets or nonfunctioning gutters, be sure have these things fixed. Also, ensure that your crawl spaces or properly ventilated.
These five warning signs of a Roanoke Rapids, NC termite infestation or a Lake Gaston, NC termite infestation are just a few things that you the homeowner can monitor for when you do your own inspection. So you don't have to worry about dealing with termite treatment after an infestation, call the experts here at BugLink, for your Roanoke Rapids and Lake Gaston NC termite control.
Remember that prevention is key! Feel free to give a call anytime!! 252-519-0900
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