While wooden walls and flooring provide a beautiful touch to any home, they’re just as appealing to termites as they are to you. A termite infestation can leave your gorgeous wood riddled with tunnels and holes. If you suspect termites have gotten into your home, you need a professional exterminator like one from Joy Exterminators in Newport, OH. Termite control has been the family business for decades. Keep reading to learn more about how quickly termites can eat through wood, and what you can do to prevent permanent damage.

The Insatiable Appetite of Termites

The speed at which termites eat through your home depends not so much on how fast they eat but how fast they reproduce. Even though each termite eats almost nonstop, a single termite isn’t anything to worry about. However, they reproduce and form entire colonies inside your wood. A single colony usually numbers in the millions. Collectively, they can tear through a foundation in a matter of months if left to breed and eat without restriction.

Moreover, they don’t need to eat through your entire foundation or home to cause permanent damage. The tunnel and holes that they bore into the wood will weaken the structure so that your home could collapse long before the termites have finished eating.

How to Stop Termites From Eating Your Home

The earlier you catch a termite infestation and bring in an exterminator, the less damage your home will suffer. In addition to an annual termite inspection by a professional, there are some other steps you can take to treat or prevent a termite infestation.

Start by keeping firewood stored away from the house and raised off of the ground. You should also repair leaking faucets and pipes as termites love damp environments. Make sure to seal cracks, holes, and other porous parts of your home, especially in the foundation. Finally, keep attics, basements, and crawl spaces well ventilated and dry.

A termite infestation can take root and cause damage in a matter of months. They reproduce quickly, and they eat constantly. So be proactive by calling Joy Exterminators at (740) 473-2739 or visiting their website to find a professional exterminator who can come do a termite treatment and help you secure your home against future infestations. Their experts have served homes in the Newport, OH, area for more than 40 years and are well-known for their efficient and powerful techniques and friendly service.