It's The Perfect Time To Think About Termite Control In Houston
As you might know (well, probably not), termite awareness week is coming up. These things come and go all the time: National Boyfriend Day, World Coffee Day, Teacher Appreciation Week… They’re hard to keep up with. However, termite awareness is one thing that you might regret ignoring this year.
Awareness Can Save You $$$
Termite awareness week is the first full week before spring every year, as the warmer weather makes termites more active. However, when people refer to “termite season” which is typically the warmest three to four months of the year, they’re referring to the ideal conditions for new termite colonies to begin.
The scary truth is that termites are active all year long, eating the wood inside houses constantly. That’s right: termites do not sleep. They constantly consume wood and transport nutrients back to their queen. The only thing more dangerous about the warmer months of the year is the chance of a new termite colony being created on your property.
While being aware of termite season is important, it’s even more important to be aware of the signs of an infestation. Most homeowners who miss the signs of an infestation will incur an average of $3,000’ worth of damage after just 18 months of termite activity on their properties.
It can be very difficult to see worker termites chewing away at the foundation of your house or working within your walls, but here are a few signs that you need to be on the lookout for:
- Swarmers: these winged termites in charge of reproduction are only released from mature colonies once, maybe twice, a year. You're more likely to see their shed wings along the ground near the house than see swarmers themselves.
- Mud tubes: as termites enter your home, they'll create mud tubes stemming from the bottom of the foundation walls, usually in dark or hidden places.
- Clicking noises: if you hear a faint clicking noise within the walls, it could be a soldier termite warning others of impending danger.
- Door and window frame damage: if your doors and windows become difficult to open and shut, this could indicate internal damage caused by termites.
- Damage to exposed wood: wherever your wood touches the ground outside (like a deck beam or fence), any damage is a possible indication of termite activity.
To be clear, recognizing these signs really can save you thousands of dollars, but only if you enlist professional help at the first sign of an infestation. Trying to get rid of termites on your own typically leaves at least part of the infestation active and exposes you to more costly damage over time.
Preventing Termites For Good
Along with understanding the signs of an infestation, you should be aware of the things you can do to limit your chances of a termite infestation. By understanding what attracts termites onto your property, you might be able to reduce these attractions and reduce your risk of a costly invasion.
The first thing you want to do is limit moisture buildup in and around your property. Termites love feeding on moist, rotting wood, so controlling moisture issues is a big first step. For areas like basements and crawlspaces, utilize a dehumidifier to limit humidity and condensation that can lead to wood rot. Plus, you need to constantly monitor your pipes for leaks, as even the slightest drip can lead to rotting wood.
Outside the house, lawn maintenance is essential. Evenly-cut grass will limit moisture buildup in the yard along with eliminating clutter likes leaves and sticks that can attract termites. Utilize a gutter and downspout system on the roof to prevent rain runoff from pooling near the sides of the house. You may also want to consider a buffer of pine straw, gravel, or rubber mulch that precludes termites from tunneling under the soil and running into the side of your Houston house.
If you’re worried about incurring a termite infestation, or you want to learn more about prevention methods that provide 100% assurance, then it’s time to call the professionals. Contact Modern Pest Control to schedule a termite inspection today.