One of the nightmares of homeowners everywhere is discovering a termite infestation in their house. Termites can cause extensive damage to a home, so identifying them and applying termite treatments should be a high priority. Here are a few facts to familiarize you with these insects, so you know what you’re up against.

Termite Facts

1. Types of Termites

Termite colonies are made up of queens, drones, workers, and soldiers. Workers and soldiers spend almost their entire lives in the colony’s tunnels, but winged queens and drones sometimes emerge to mate and start a new colony. After termites swarm, they shed their wings, which you might find around your home.

2. Prevention Techniques

The best defense against termites is to prevent them from getting a foothold. Remove wooden objects from around your foundation and seal any cracks where the insect might access your home. If you use wood mulch in your yard, make sure to keep it away from the foundation of your home. Also be conscious of water sources; don’t leave standing water or irrigation drips near your foundation, as a termite colony needs water sources to survive.

3. Signs of Infestation

You’re not likely to see the termites themselves, but you can look for these signs that indicate they’ve taken up residence. When traveling across exposed surfaces, termites build distinct mud tubes. They also leave behind visible blisters and hollowed segments in wood. When it’s very quiet, you might even hear termites inside your walls.

4. Termite Inspections

If you spot these signs, or if you haven’t had a termite inspection this year, you should schedule a walk-through with your local exterminator. An in-depth inspection can help you identify potential risk factors, like exposed wood in door and window frames or wooden trellises attached to your walls. If your exterminator does uncover an infestation, they can help you treat your home.

5. Treatment Options

If you do have termites, you have two issues to deal with: the bugs themselves, and the structural damage they may have caused before you discovered them. A local termite treatment company will apply pesticides to kill the colony and provide a barrier against future infestations. They may also recommend buried termite baits. Afterward, you may need to hire a contractor to identify and repair the damaged areas of your home.

You should have a termite problem treated immediately, but once you take action, recovery is straightforward. Keep an eye out for signs of infestation and schedule regular inspections to prevent this pest from entering your home.

Hilo Termite & Pest Control is the Big Island’s expert in eliminating your most troublesome pests. Choose their experienced team for fast, effective termite treatments and cockroach control, as well as inspections to head off an infestation. For a free evaluation, call (808) 935-8301 or visit them online.