Any pests in your home are bad news, but the worst pests you can have are termites. They are wood-destroying pests that can cause absolute havoc and extreme damage to your home’s structure. Termites can be a problem in San Antonio households, but if you get them exterminated quickly, it can prevent a lot of damage and money from being spent on repairs.
There are different ways of preventing termites from your home, you can either do it yourself, or you can call in a local San Antonio pest control service. If you want to exterminate a termite colony, then a professional is always advised, as they will have a lot more knowledge and experience when it comes to exterminating pests, especially those active in your area. Some San Antonio lawn care services also carry out exterminations on termites and other pests.
How to determine if you potentially have a termite problem:
● Tap on any wood in your home – furniture, pillars, beams, etc. – if you hear a hollow sound, you may have termite damage.
● Check the strength of wood. If after some probing it falls apart, this could be a sign of termites.
● Look out for fallen wings and mud in any wood.
There are different types of termites, the main ones being Drywood and Subterranean, which can require different prevention methods. Ask your local pest expert which preventions will work best for you.
If you carry out the following prevention tips, termites can be avoided:
Once a year, receive a termite inspection from a professional exterminator. Talk with the termite control expert about conditions in your home that can encourage termite activity. This could be something such as wood that is in contact with the ground or excess moisture in the wood. Discuss which prevention treatments will be the most effective based on how your home has been constructed. These treatments could be direct wood treatment, monitoring systems, or bait.
Remove all access to your home
Termites can gain entry to your home through small holes so seal up any gaps, for example, those around water and gas lines. You can also give your home a fresh coat of paint as this will help to seal any little crevices that termites could gain access through.
Another common entry point for termites is through wood-to-ground contact. Try to reduce any wood-to-ground contact in your home as much as possible. If you cannot remove all of it, the wood can be treated with a termiticide; this will discourage any termites from entering your home using this wood.
Diminish the food sources in your home’s surrounding area
You can start by making sure wooden siding is no less than six inches above the ground. You can also get rid of any cellulose materials in or around your home and remove any firewood or dead trees from your yard as these can harbor termites.
Monitor for any termite activity
If you are buying lumber, thoroughly inspect it for termites before bringing it to your home for whatever use intended. Look out for Drywood termite activity; wood shingles are often commonplace for them. Ask your pest control expert to suggest any effective techniques for termite prevention. They may suggest monitoring stations to you, these aren’t very intrusive and will show any warning signs of termite activity, but they don’t actually protect you against termite infestations. Another suggestion may be a proactive termite treatment, which can help to prevent any future termite infestations.
Reduce any excess moisture
Begin by looking for any potential excess moisture in the basement or in crawl space areas. If you have any water leaks or gutters that drip makes sure to get these fixed as soon as possible, you can also ensure that water does not gather around your home or on your home’s roof to reduce excess moisture.
If you think you have termites or are certain you do, then it’s time to call in the professionals. Termite infestations cannot often be taken care of with over the counter products, so when a professional carries out the termite extermination it will be done in one or more of the following ways:
● Bait: Bait can be wood, cardboard, or cellulose materials that are soaked in pesticide. The termites will eat this bait and carry back particles to their nest, resulting in poisoning their colony.
● Repellents: Repellents will be sprayed to discourage termites from moving to other parts of your home.
● Termiticide: The exterminator will pump termiticide into the nests of the termites, which will kill the termites.
There are several termite control methods out there, from DIY methods to professional pest control services. The best way to deal with these wood destroying insects is to take preventative measures. Of course, if you are already experiencing problems, then it’s time to phone the professionals.
