What Should I Do if I Find Out My Home Has Termites?

Termites can be difficult to find because they have a strong aversion to light, so they stay hidden in the darkness between walls, under the floorboards, and in the attic. But just because you do not see them doesn’t mean they aren’t hard at work eating away the cellulose in the boards and structure of your home. Knowing what to look for is important so you will be able to identify signs of termites. But it should go without saying that routine termite inspections by a professional termite exterminator are the best line of defense against termites. If you discover that your home has termites, never fear. The most important first step is to have a professional come over and evaluate the size of the infestation and sum up the damage. Acting fast to begin treating your home will lessen the destruction left behind by a termite colony.

Signs of termites

Knowing what signs to look for is crucial to finding termite activity because of their hidden nature. Ants can be often confused with the appearance of termites. The differences are:

• Ants have a wasp-like or pinched waist while termites' bodies go straight back from their heads
• Ant wings have two sets with the top set longer than the bottom. Termites have two sets of wings but both sets are similar in size.
• Ants have bent or elbowed antennae while termites’ antennae are straight.

Other signs caused by termites to look for are:

• Floor or wood around windows that are blistered, warped, or appear to have water damage.
• Shed wings on exterior window sills.
• Piles of sawdust under wooden furniture, woodwork, or behind wall hangings.
• Woodwork appears papery thin or hollow
• Clicking sounds at night
• Mud tubes on the foundation or under the house
• Swarms coming from your walls
• Weak paneling and boards

Treatment plans

Typical chemical treatments for termites involve direct colony treatment in the walls and chemical barrier prevention in the form of:

• Sprays and foams sprayed into the walls through tiny holes to eradicate termite colonies.
• Soil barrier termiticides are placed in the ground around the home.

Eco-friendly options that do not involve chemicals and will not harm other wildlife such as plants, animals, or beneficial insects are:

• Bait systems that are placed around the outside of the home to eliminate colonies by feeding contaminated bait to large portions of the colony to quickly eradicate the infestation. 
•  The electro-gun treatment system uses high frequency and high voltage that can identify colonies through the walls and eradicate the termites without having to worry about chemicals being in the home.

If you discover termites in your home, calling a professional termite exterminator right away will help limit the damage these tiny, destructive creatures can cause. Calling Environmentally Considered Pest Control, ECPC, in Chester County, PA will give you the reassurance that the termites will be eliminated while protecting all other life in and around your home.