The Trick To Catching Termites Early On Your Houston Property
There are plenty of threats that Houston homeowners need to worry about in a given year. Of those threats, one of the most substantial is that of the termite infestation. Termites are small, home-invading pests that feed on cellulose which is found in wood. As such, they can completely destroy wooden structures if they feed upon them. All in all, termites are responsible for around five-billion-dollars’ worth of damage each year in the United States alone. Given how destructive termites can be, it is important for Houston homeowners to be able to catch infestations early before they are able to cause extensive damage. In order to do this, you need to be able to spot the signs of a termite infestation. That way you can act quickly to eradicate them, saving you from costly repair bills.
What You Need To Know About Termites
Termites are small ant-like pests that can be pale yellow, brown, or black in color. While out in the world, termites are beneficial to the surrounding ecosystem as they help to breakdown decaying matter such as fallen trees. However, when they choose to feed on the wood in our Houston homes, they become less beneficial and more destructive. They can destroy structural wood, siding, flooring, furniture, and wooden antiques. Termites live in colonies that are made up of three separate castes. These castes include workers, soldiers, and reproductives, each serving a specific function within the colony. Workers gather food for the colony. Soldiers protect the colony from threats. Reproductives, which are winged-termites, set out to create new colonies in a process known as a termite swarm.
Why It’s Hard To Spot Termite Infestations
One of the main reasons it’s so hard to tell when your home is infested with termites is that you are not likely to ever see an actual termite in your home. That is because termites tend to remain either in their nests or the wood that they are eating. The one exception to this is during swarms as this is when the reproductives are most active out of their nests. However, you still should be able to spot signs of termites as they do not swarm all the time. Moreover, in addition to being able to spot signs of termites yourself, it also helps to have an annual professional termite inspection to be sure your home is safe from these destructive pests.
Signs Of A Termite Infestation On Your Houston Property
As you are not likely to spot actual termites in your home, being able to spot other signs of an infestation goes a long way in limiting the amount of damage that termites can cause. Some signs that could indicate a termite infestation include:
Tight-fitting windows and doors.
Mud tubes in the soil around your property.
Frass on the floors and other surfaces of your home.
Shed wings of swarmers on your property.
Excessively squeaky floors.
What You Should Do If You Spot Signs Of Termites On Your Property
If you spot any of the signs of termites on your Houston property, don’t waste your time and money trying to get rid of them on your own. Instead, call the pest professionals here at Modern Pest Control and let us take care of the problem for you. Here at Modern Pest Control, we offer quality termite treatments that you can count on to effectively eliminate any termite infestations from your property. Furthermore, if you opt for any of our ongoing treatment plans, you can rest assured that your property will remain pest-free all year long. Don’t let termites destroy your Houston home. Give us a call today.