Within the cozy confines of your home, nestled in the walls, floors, and even your cherished wooden furniture, there may exist a hidden threat. Termites, often referred to as silent invaders, are insatiable wood-eaters that can wreak havoc in silence, causing extensive damage before you even notice their presence. As homeowners, it’s vital to understand how these tiny pests gain access to our homes and, more importantly, when to call in the experts for a termite inspection.
In this blog post we’ll be delving into the fascinating world of termites, their subtle ways of infesting homes, and the crucial signs that should prompt you to seek a professional inspection.
How Do Termites Get Into Your Home?
Termites are extremely tiny and silent. These two characteristics are their biggest strengths and what allows them to infest your home so quickly. They are surprisingly resourceful when it comes to infiltrating our homes and giving us and our families a lot of trouble.
Here are some of the ways termites get into your home:
Through Cracks and Crevices:
|Termites are masters at squeezing through tiny openings. Even the tiniest cracks in your home’s foundation or walls can be used as an entry point. They can slip through gaps as thin as your credit card, making it challenging to spot their initial intrusion.
Through Gaps In The Foundation:
Homes with concrete foundations may have expansion joints and gaps where pipes and utility lines cut through. These areas can provide termites with a convenient pathway inside.
Through Wood-to-Soil Contact:
Termites have a strong affinity for wood, especially when it’s in direct contact with soil, which provides a bridge to their favorite food source. Structures like wooden deck posts, porch supports, or untreated wooden fences that touch the ground become vulnerable points that can lead to their entry.
Moisture and Decaying Wood:
Termites thrive in damp environments and are drawn to moisture like magnets. Any area of your home that retains moisture, such as leaky pipes, clogged gutters, or damp basements, becomes a prime target. Additionally, termites have a particular taste for decaying or rotting wood, which is softer and easier for them to devour.
Signs Of A Termite Infestation
In the earlier section, we talked about how termites get in and begin to infest your property. This section will deal with the signs that tell you termites are already in your home.
Mud Tubes:
Subterranean termites build mud tubes that act as protected highways between their nests and the wood they’re consuming. You can spot these tubes along the walls of your foundation.
Discarded Wings:
Flying termites, also known as swarmers, leave behind a trail of discarded wings. Look out for small, translucent wings near window sills, doors, or on the floor to detect a swarmer infestation.
Hollow-Sounding Wood:
When termites feed on wood, they eat it from the inside out, leaving a thin veneer of paint or wood on the surface. Knocking on the wood may produce a hollow or papery sound, signaling termite damage.
Frass (Termite Droppings):
Subterranean termites produce tiny, pellet-like droppings known as frass. Finding these piles of frass near wooden structures or on windowsills can be a sign of termite activity.
To get more details on the signs of a termite infestation, check out our blog post: 5 Early Warning Signs Of Termite Infestations.
Termite Inspections: The First Step In Getting Rid Of Termites
Termite inspections are a critical part of maintaining your home’s structural integrity and preventing costly damage caused by these silent invaders. If you’ve spotted any of the signs mentioned in the previous section, or have a suspicion that termites might be present, don’t delay. Call for an inspection immediately. Acting quickly can prevent further damage.
You don’t just have to wait for an infestation to occur to call for an inspection, there are a couple of other instances when a termite inspection can benefit you.
Regular Annual Inspections:
It’s a wise practice for homeowners, especially those residing in termite-prone regions, to schedule annual termite inspections. These routine checks help catch infestations in their early stages, preventing extensive damage.
You Are Buying or Selling a Home:
If you’re in the process of buying or selling a home, a termite inspection is often a mandatory part of the real estate transaction. Even if it’s not required, it’s a smart move to ensure the property’s structural integrity and peace of mind of all parties involved.
After Home Renovations or Repairs:
If you’ve recently completed home renovations or repairs that involve wood, soil disturbance, or changes to the structure, it’s a good idea to have an inspection done. These activities can disturb termite colonies, leading to increased activity.
You Are Witnessing Nearby Termite Infestations:
If your neighbors have dealt with termite infestations, especially in close proximity to your home, you might want to be on the lookout. Termites can easily migrate from one property to another, so a proactive inspection is advisable.
Seasonal Changes:
Subterranean termites are often more active in the spring and early summer when they swarm to establish new colonies. Drywood termites, on the other hand, can be active year-round. If it’s the right season and you notice signs of termite activity, act promptly.
At Jamison Pest and Lawn we offer a comprehensive four season pest control program where our pest experts visit your Memphis property each time the season changes to make sure your home remains safe.
Contact Us To Make Your Home Pest Free!
In this blog post, we hope we were able to provide you with answers to some crucial questions, such as how you get termites in your home, and when you should get a termite inspection.
The next question that may come to your mind is who to call for an inspection, and the answer is Jamison Pest and Lawn! We are a premier pest control company in Memphis and have been helping homeowners keep their homes pest-free for years. We offer the best termite control services in Memphis and surrounding areas, so give us a call today at (901) 452-1505 to schedule an appointment with our experts.
