When it comes to pests infesting your Dallas home, you are probably most concerned about the ones that pose health risks to you and your family. However, just because a pest isn’t a hazard to your health, it doesn’t mean they can’t still do a tremendous amount of damage if left unchecked. One such pest that Dallas homeowners need to be mindful of is the termite.
Termites feed on organic material that is found in wood. As such, if termites gain access to your home, they are capable of causing costly damage. Whether it be structural wood, wooden antiques, or other wood furniture, if termites invade your home, it’s all at risk. That’s why it is important for you to know the steps you can take to help prevent termite infestations. Additionally, you should know what to do should you find yourself dealing with an infestation.
Identifying Termites
Termites are social pests that live in structured colonies and fall into three different castes. The three castes are workers, soldiers, and winged reproductives. While soldiers are charged with protecting the colony, workers are the termites that venture out to find food, and thus the termites that generally will damage your home. Even so, you are not likely to ever see termites unless there is a termite swarm. A termite swarm is when winged reproductives set out to create new colonies. With a swarm, you might spot the winged reproductives or simply notice the shed wings in your home.
Termites range in size from 1/8th of an inch to 1 inch long. They vary in color depending on the species but can be cream, tan, yellow, brown, or black. They have six legs and mandibles which are used for breaking down wood and colony protection.
Damage Caused By Termites
The damage caused by termites can reach upwards of several thousand dollars in a single home. In fact, they are responsible for billions of dollars of damage across the U.S. every year. They generally prefer to eat softer wood, so any moisture-damaged or decaying wood in your home could attract termites. However, once inside, any wood in your home is at risk of termite damage. Oftentimes, this is structural wood, flooring, window and door frames, and wood furniture.
Termite Prevention Techniques
When it comes to termite prevention, your main objectives should be to remove anything that might attract termites into your home in the first place, as well as to make it as difficult as possible for termites to gain access to your home. To prevent termites from invading your home, you should:
- Remove or replace any moisture-damaged wood in your home.
- Fix any leaky pipes or fixtures inside your home.
- Keep gutters free of debris to prevent flooding.
- Use dehumidifiers to lower moisture levels in your home.
- Avoid wood-to-soil contact outside your home.
- Keep a gravel barrier between the soil and the exterior of your home.
- Seal any cracks in the foundation of your home.
- Keep woodpiles away from the exterior of your home.
- Inspect any wood, lumber, or wooden antiques for termites before bringing them into your home.
What To Do If You Have A Termite Infestation
Even if you take all the precautions, you could still end up having a termite infestation. If such is the case, act quickly, and give the professionals here Greenforest Termite & Pest Control a call immediately. Our trained pest technicians have the experience and expertise required to effectively eliminate any termite infestation with which you might be dealing. We will also work with you to take the necessary precautions to prevent future infestations.
When it comes to termites, any delay in treatment could mean more damage done to your property which is why you should act now if you notice the signs of a termite infestation. Give us a call today to learn more about our home exterminator services and commercial pest management plans.