Termite Damage
In order to properly defend against termites, you need to know why this is important in the first place. Termites are tiny pests, so they can't cause that much damage, can they? Actually, termites cause over 5 billion dollars in damages to American homeowners every year. Termites live in colonies, and while a single termite might not cause many problems, colonies can have millions of termites. A large termite colony can eat more than 15 pounds of material in a day. If this material is coming from the wooden structures supporting your home, you'll be in big trouble in no time.
What can you do about it?
Termite Prevention
To prevent termites, you'll need to know what attracts them in the first place. The short answer is food and water. Termites need to eat, so they'll look for an area with a lot of wood. They can feed on other things as well, such as dead bugs, cardboard, and drywall, but their favorite source of food is wood. Moisture is also an important attractor. Termites like moist climates, and they also have an easier time feeding on wood that is damp and soft.
The first step toward termite prevention is checking for and controlling water damage. If you have any leaks, you may need to get started on repairs. The sooner you replace damaged wood, the better your odds of keeping termites away. You can also use a dehumidifier to help reduce the moisture levels in your home, which may help deter termites.
Another trick for keeping termites away is yard maintenance. If termites are attracted to your yard, they'll be more likely to find their way into your house. Avoid this by keeping your yard clean and your landscaping trimmed. Don't leave cardboard outside or organic debris. Keep woodpiles far from your house and avoid letting wet soil touch the wooden exterior of your home.
Termite Elimination
If termites do get inside, elimination is not as easy as prevention. Termites can be difficult to spot since they spend most of their lives in hiding. If you suspect you have termites, Prosite can conduct an inspection to identify these pests.
You should never ignore termites or attempt to control them on your own. Remember, for every day that termites are living inside your walls, you could be losing 15 pounds of structural integrity. Instead of taking this risk, have Prosite take over the situation. We work quickly and efficiently, using proven tools and treatments like Termidor to control and eliminate termites before they destroy your home. Now that you know the risks termites bring give us a call for an inspection and protect your home from these pests.