Termites are small insects that can sometimes be mistaken for ants. While they may resemble an ant, they can cause much more destruction and damage to your property. You might need the help of a Mobile pest control specialist to determine if you have termites. At EnSec, we have more than 30 years of experience and know the steps that need to be taken to completely eliminate these pests from your home.
How To Identify Signs Of Termites Around Your Home
Drywood and subterranean termites are the most common species in Mobile, Alabama. While these two types of termites have different living habits, they tend to leave behind the same clues when they have been in your home. Some of the telltale signs that you should look for to see if you have termites include:
- Damaged walls: Termites will create tunnels inside the walls of your home. Because they are so small, sometimes these tunnels can go unnoticed. Eventually, it can make the paint on your walls start to bubble and the wallpaper peel. You may also notice tiny pinholes in the drywall.
- Termite droppings: Drywood termites are known to leave their droppings, also called frass, around homes. These droppings are tiny and will be a light brown color. Some people think that termite dropping looks like wood dust. Subterranean termites are less likely to leave their droppings around, as they use them to build their homes.
- Jammed doors and windows: Because it's the easiest to access, termites will commonly consume the wooden areas that surround the doors and windows of your home. Over time, this can cause the area to become warped, which can cause your doors and windows to become stuck or more difficult to open and close.
- Mud tubes: Subterranean termites live underground and will build mud tubes to travel safely from their home to their food source. The mud tubes are made out of a combination of wood and mud and look like slender tubes that will usually run along the side of your home or near the foundation.
- Termite wings: Flying termites, called swarmers, have a pair of wings. However, they don't get to keep these wings forever. After they mate, the female will shed her wings. If you notice tiny, white discarded wings, or dead termites on your window sills, you more than likely have a termite problem.
Because they are known to live in large colonies, it is unlikely that you will have just one or two termites in your home. If you see only a few termites, there is a good chance that there are several thousand more hiding nearby.
The Extent Of Damage Termites Can Cause To Your Home
Termites can cause a lot of damage in a short amount of time. If you have termites in your home for more than six months, the structural integrity of your home may be compromised. Termites can also cause your ceiling and floors to sag, furniture damage, and significant damage to the carpet, paint, and wallpaper in your home.
On average, homeowners usually spend between $1,000 and $3,000 on repairing termite damage. If the termites are allowed to stay in a home long enough, they could end up causing it to be completely uninhabitable and unsafe to be in. This is why it is so vitally important that termites are eliminated at the first sign of a problem.
Natural Ways To Make Your Home Less Attractive To Termites
While it may be impossible to completely deter termites away from your home, there are a few things that you can do to make your home less attractive to these destructive insects, which include:
- Eliminate moisture around the foundation of your home. Make sure there are no holes or cracks in your gutter system. Also, use splashbacks and downspouts to divert the water away from your home.
- Keep firewood, scrap wood, and other wooden debris at least 20 feet away from your home.
- Eliminate moisture in your home's crawl space by implementing a ventilation system or dehumidifier.
- Don't use mulch directly beside your home. Mulch can trap moisture, which will attract termites to your home.
By following these tips, you are less likely to attract termites to your home.
The Best Thing To Do If You Spot Signs Of Termite Damage
At the first sign of termite damage, you should call a professional pest control specialist. At EnSec, we have decades of experience dealing with termites in Mobile. We have the skills and the tools to eliminate termites from your home for good. Give us a call today for a free inspection and free estimate.