Termites are one of the biggest threats North Texas pest control enthusiasts face in their homes and businesses. These tiny bugs may seem benign, but they can wreak havoc on any building they infest. If you leave a termite problem untreated, you’re setting yourself up for potentially thousands of dollars in property damage down the road. Texas residents need to take measures to keep these pests away from their homes.
Continue reading to learn how to identify a potential infestation, as well as how Shoop's Texas Termite & Pest Control can help get rid of termites in your home.
What Does A Termite Infestation Look Like?
If you have a termite problem, you may be none the wiser at first. Active termites don’t do a lot of foraging outside their nests. They don’t have to because they eat the wood they infest. Termites are a lot harder to detect than many other pests—that’s what makes termite control tricky. One way to get around this is by having annual inspections by a professional service. However, you can, too, look out for indicators of a potential infestation. Signs of termites will be subtle at first, but they’ll become more noticeable as the infestation grows.
Here are things to watch for:
- Swarms of reproductive termites, especially in the spring.
- Piles of wings or other signs of recent swarms.
- Frass and carton (termite sawdust and droppings).
- Pinholes in drywall.
- Mud tubes around your foundation.
- Wood damage around your home with no apparent explanation.
Spotting winged termites is a significant sign. These get sent by a colony only when mature to create new nests. Having them on your property may mean you have had an infestation for some time.
Why It Is So Hard To Get Rid Of Termites On Your Property
Termite removal is a lot tougher than termite prevention for several reasons. First off, when you have active termites on your property, their colonies can mature and grow for months or even years before you know there’s a problem. This gives the termite colonies plenty of time to get themselves firmly established in your home before you start trying to do something about them.
An established termite infestation is a stubborn termite infestation. Most of the time, homeowners trying to pull off DIY termite control only manage to kill the larger nests in the colony, leaving the smaller, less obvious ones unscathed. Because of this, the infestation doesn't die, and the less mature nests breed and reinforce the colony. The majority of the time, your DIY termite control efforts will simply reduce your termite population temporarily. The problem and damage to your home will persist.
What Attracts Termites To Homes?
Termites like to infest convenient places. If your home has a lot of rotted or softwood, termites are bound to invade. Many termite species also need moisture; the more condensation and humidity your home has, the more likely it is to attract termites. Most of the termite prevention methods you can employ aim to reduce attractive wood and moisture on your property.
Ways To Prevent Future Termite Infestations In North Texas
Nothing replaces professional North Texas pest control for your termite needs.
However, there are some things you can do to prevent termites:
- Eliminate all wood contact with the outside of your home, including mulch, branches, and firewood.
- Use dehumidifiers to reduce condensation around your property.
- Fix moisture issues like leaky pipes and clogged drains.
- Seal potential entry points on your home’s exterior.
You’ll also need an annual termite inspection to prevent termites, as well as professional termite removal services if you end up with an infestation. The good news is the experts at Shoop's Texas Termite & Pest Control are just a click or call away. Our treatments are effective and will eliminate all nests and colonies in your home. If you’re ready to kick the termites out of your house, contact us today!