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stopping termite damage

Termites are responsible for over $1 billion in home repairs each year in the United States. Fortunately, there are ways to exterminate termites, and there are ways to prevent the severity of damage if your home has termites. The longer an infestation goes on the more extensive the repairs will be. So time is money.

An experienced pest control company is your best course of action against an infestation. The first step to tackle a termite problem is to determine if you actually have active termites in your home. An inspection by a professional will be thorough, as they will know precisely what to look for. The experienced technician will analyze how extensive the infestation is and then will discuss treatment options.

Termites travel through tunnels they have mapped out within your home. These crafty pests typically remain unseen and are usually only discovered when the damage they’ve caused is visible.

Homeowners can contribute in efforts to decrease damage by being aware of the signs of an active termite infestation. Here are some signs that you may have a severe termite problem.

  • Swarmers or discarded wings. Swarmers, also known as reproductives, are young female and male winged termites. In the springtime, after the last freeze, swarmers will emerge from their nest to mate and search for a new location to start a colony, which typically includes houses. During this period, these swarmers or their discarded wings will appear near window sills and doors. This will often be the first (and only outwardly visible) sign of a termite problem.
  • Mud tubes. Subterranean termites, the most destructive species, build mud tubes to provide moisture while they travel between their colony and food source. Mud tubes are most often found near the home’s foundation or along walls.
  • Wood damage. Because Termites tend to eat wood from the inside out, wood that sounds hollow when tapped often signifies a termite infestation. Homeowners should also look for blistering pieces of wood which is a sign of moisture.
  • Wood colored droppings. Drywood termites, a species more prominent in the south, produce wood-colored droppings as they eat through infested wood. If a homeowner finds a small pile of what looks like pellets inside or outside the home, it could be a sign of a drywood termite infestation.

Although homeowners can take a proactive stance and sometimes spot evidence of a termite infestation, it’s very difficult to know the extent of a problem or how to completely resolve it if you’re not a professional. In addition to exterminating the adult termites, nests also must be located and destroyed to prevent a re-infestation.

The severity of damage that can occur and the ability that termites have to stay hidden, until it’s a critical problem, is reason enough to let a professional pest service handle termites. Eagle Pest Services is proud to be your trusted local pest control and termite extermination experts. We are here to help you with all of your pest concerns.