Each year, more buildings are damaged by termites than flood and fire hazards! Extensive damage can result in weakened structures, like walls and fixtures, which could lead to the danger of collapse.
Termite colonies work 24 hours a day, and infestations can go undiscovered until serious damage is done. Termite detection and continued treatment are the best ways to exterminate these pests and truly protect your investment in your property.
It usually takes time, and most building owners do not notice early signs of damages. Furthermore, unless there are obvious signs of active infestations, you probably won't detect termites because they feed hidden from view.
Evidence of termite infestations include:
Evidence of termite infestations include:
- Mud tubes
- Wood damage (wood that sounds hollow when tapped)
- Cracked or bubbling paint
- Swarms of flying insects
- Discarded wings near doors and windows
- Termite droppings that look like sawdust
Many ways. Termites drop their wings to mate, and then try to return to the ground. If you miss the swarms, you will still be able to find lots of wings on the windowsills, or near other heat or sources. Ants do not usually drop their wings. In addition, termites have straight antennae whereas ants' antennae are elbowed. Lastly, the two pairs of termite wings are all of the same length while ants have long and short wings.
Call Antipest immediately if you see a termite swarm in or around your house, or if you find discarded termite wings.
Not really. Slab construction is still penetrable by termites as they gain entrance to the house through other means – cracks, cavities, expansion joints, gaps between plumbing pipes and such.
They feed on cellulose-based material, including wood, books, boxes, furniture and drywalls. Termites can also tunnel hundreds of feet through the soil to reach food.
Here are some common conditions that place your building at risk for termites:
- Moisture (e.g. Run-off moisture, drainage, condensation under home)
- Food (e.g. Wood house framing, debris in crawl space, landscape timbers, mulch, stumps)
- Access (e.g. Tiny cracks throughout your building, concrete slabs or basement foundations, around utility pipes or veneers such as stucco, brick, and wood)
- Temperature (e.g. Tropical climates create favorable conditions for termites all year round)
As the saying goes, "Prevention is Better than Cure". Particularly for termites, it would be wise to carry out preventive treatments, or have inspection program.
