Problems Termites Cause

Post author:Pest_2018admin
Post published:May 17, 2019
Post category:Uncategorized

When a certain pest does damage to homes each year to the tune of billions of dollars, it makes them hard to ignore. Let us ask you this, how much do you know about termites? If the most you know about termites is that they like to eat wood, we would like you to stick around. We have some information you really should know.

What Termites Look Like

Before we get into what termites look like, you should first know that there are several species of termite, all which look slightly different than the rest. As for today, we are going to focus on the most destructive and prevalent species of termite, the subterranean termite.

Subterranean termites are ⅛ of an inch to 1 inch in length and have creamy white to dark brown/black bodies. Despite knowing what they look like, it is a good thing to note that it will be hard for you to find one of these invasive species in the wild as they spend the majority of their time inside wood or underground.

Problems Termites Cause

As we previously discussed, subterranean termites are wood-destroying pests. However, they do not simply eat whatever wood they come across. Because these termites are what is known as softwood termites, they can only be found eating wood that has been water damaged or only eating between the grains of wood where it is the softest. When they do this inside homes, they put your home’s structure at risk. Over time, some common signs of their damage may include bubbling wallpaper or paint, dipping ceilings, and overly squeaky floorboards.

Prevention Tips For Termites

When it comes to preventing termites, the best thing you can do is reduce moisture around your home. Fix leaks, eliminate water build up, and make sure your drains are all in good working order. This will reduce your home’s chances of being negatively affected by moisture and will prevent its wood from becoming more attractive to termites. If any of your home’s wood has already been affected by water damage, consider having these areas repaired as they are currently a big target for termites looking for a new home.