Termites seem like a legend. You hear about them on the news, on tv, and online but never seem to hear about friends dealing with an active infestation inside their homes. This is because termites are silent invaders. There is a good chance that many people you know have active termite infestations on their properties but do not know about them yet. We are here today to help you spot these pests early. Here is everything you need to know about termite identification and what options you have for pest control in Latham to combat problems in and around your home. Call Absolute Pest Control if you are more interested in professional options to deal with these destructive insects fast. We will answer questions you might have and help you make an informed decision to protect your property.
Four Alarming Signs You May Have A Termite Infestation
It is not always easy to know if your home has an active termite problem. These pests damage wood silently for months before leaving any clear signs behind. Keeping this in mind, it is still good to check your home every so often. Here are four signs of termites we recommend looking for first.
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Mud tubes running up your home’s exterior foundation
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Termite swarmers or their discarded wings inside or around your home
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Moisture damage is indicated through discolored spots on floors, ceilings, and walls
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Hard to open windows and doors or overly-squeaky floorboards
The absolute best thing you can do to spot termites before they cause serious harm is to schedule your home and property for a yearly wood-destroying insect report. A professional will have the tools and training to identify these bugs before they cause extensive damage to your equity.
What It Means If You Spot Termites On Your Property
There are many types of termites around the globe, but only one common species in New York is the subterranean termite. Once a year, usually during the months of March, April, and May, these pests swarm. This involves winged termites, called swarmers, leaving their nests on humid days to search for new areas to build and feed. Keep a keen eye out for these pests after rainy days. Swarmers are black and about ?” long; this includes the length of their wings that extend far past their abdomen. We say keep a “keen” eye out because swarmers only stay above ground for about 30 minutes before they run the risk of drying out and dying. One thing you should know is the difference between seeing swarmers inside your home and seeing swarmers around your home. Seeing these pests outside looking in means they are considering infesting your home. Seeing them inside, while windows and doors are closed, is a clear sign of an active infestation, as the only way they could have gotten in is by crawling through existing tunnels in your home’s wood.
How Quickly Can Termites Destroy A House If Untreated?
The only upside to termite infestations is that these pests won’t destroy your home in a week. They won’t even cause noticeable damage in a month. On average, it takes over a year for these pests to severely damage a section of a home. It takes several years after this for any concern of structural failure. Although these pests won’t level your home in a few years, they can cause thousands upon thousands of dollars worth of damage. This is what we are here to help you avoid. We don’t want you to wake up one day and find out your home’s wood is filled with tiny termite tunnels that are causing moisture damage and other problems.
Why Annual Termite Inspections Are Always Worth It
There are two ways to combat termites here in Latham. The first method involves scheduling your home for a yearly termite inspection. This will help you catch infestations early before they result in severe damage. If you want complete protection, you will want one of our year-round termite control plans. This involves scheduled preventative treatments and general monitoring of potential nests on or near your property. We design our termite control options to be non-invasive and effective at eliminating these pests before they take their first nibble at your home’s wood.
Reach out to our team today and find out more about how we control termites. Let us explain our service options and find a treatment time that works for you and your Latham property.
