Property owners in North Texas often remain unaware of the threat that termites pose. Data indicates that termites damage property throughout the U.S. yearly, requiring billions of dollars in repairs. Commonly misidentified as ants, termites are wood-consuming pests belonging to the order Isoptera that will infiltrate a structure and begin eroding it.
What is the best way to get rid of termites that invade my home? As resilient creatures, large, well-developed termite infestations often require treatment performed by a licensed pest control company. A properly trained team of North Texas pest control professionals will recognize the signs of termites inside your house and understand the best ways of expelling termite infestations in your home.
Clear Signs Of A Termite Infestation In Your Home
Homeowners rarely become aware of a termite infestation by actually seeing live bugs, which might appear as white, brown, black, or other colors. Instead, they are much more likely to see evidence of the damage they've left behind. How small are termites? The majority of termites range in length from roughly one-fourth to one-half of an inch.
Property owners will sometimes notice winged termites (alates) gathering in swarms during the spring months. Alates are members of the colony with reproductive responsibilities and appear similar to flying ants.
Subterranean termites in North Texas form mud tubes or tunnels that connect to their below-ground nests. Roughly the width of a pencil, the tubes create a patterned appearance that is often visible.
Signs of termite activity indoors might include walls with peeling paint or a water-damaged appearance. Wood floors might become noticeably "creaky" when walked on, and ceilings may sag downward.
How Termites Can Slowly And Silently Destroy Your Home
In Texas, some of the most common species of termites found inside and around homes are subterranean termites. Subterranean termites form large underground nests (colonies) that can span across yards, infesting multiple homes within a neighborhood. This also means that if your neighbor has a termite problem, you could as well.
Termites remain busy yet operate rather quietly. They often initially erode the interior of a wood structure, which results in activity that remains undetected for weeks or months. After identifying a likely termite infestation, homeowners should promptly seek assistance from a pest control professional. Seasoned pest controllers will perform a detailed inspection, which includes looking at hard-to-see locations of the property.
Factors That Attract Termites To Your Home
Are you struggling with how to keep termites away? Those looking for ways of preventing termite infestations should understand the conditions that will attract these pests, which include the following:
- Subterranean termites often target water-damaged wood, such as in crawlspaces or basements.
- Homes with wood near the foundation or porches that make direct contact with the soil are vulnerable, as they offer termites easy access.
- Termites often target homes with excess wood and debris around the structure, such as firewood or overgrown forms of vegetation.
Homeowners should remember the importance of regularly inspecting the wooden parts of their property for any indication of termite activity, as these infestations often progress quickly and result in costly repair bills. Early detection should help minimize overall property damage.
Professional Termite Control Offers Lasting Protection For Your Home
Are you a local homeowner in need of professional home pest control specialists for your North Texas property? As the name of our organization suggests, Shoop's Texas Termite & Pest Control provides high-quality termite control services for residential and commercial customers in North Texas. In addition to termites, our technicians will provide comprehensive solutions for those facing problems with ants, mosquitoes, cockroaches, and many other unwanted creatures that could pose risks to the health of you and your family.
Fill out a contact form and get in touch with our friendly team for further details.