Have you ever gone downstairs in the morning to find food missing out of your refrigerator? Perhaps leftovers you were looking forward to, or a desert you were saving just for yourself? This can be frustrating but it is part of having a family. What if we told you, your family members aren’t the only ones who eat things they shouldn’t. Termites have been a problem here in Dallas for a long time, and if you are not careful, you might come downstairs one day to find damage to your home you didn’t notice before. To help you identify termite problems early, here are some signs you should be keeping your eye out for around your Dallas home.
What Are Termites?
Before we get to the signs termites leave behind, let’s talk about what termites are. We are going to focus on subterranean termites because they are the most common species in the Dallas area. As their name would suggest these termites spend most of their time underground. If not underground, these termites can be found harvesting a piece of wood, or a structure made out of wood. Within each termite colony, there are workers, soldiers, and reproductives. Together these castes work together to gather wood, construct nests, feed young protect the colony, and produce more termites.
Not so fun fact about termites: Termites don’t have to sleep and have nearly infinite energy. This allows them to consume homes constantly.
How Hard Are Termites To Spot?
Termites are not the loudest creatures, neither are they the bravest. Unless you see a termite swarmer in your home or go digging in your backyard, you probably will never see a live termite in or around your home. This is mainly due to the fact that, when termites invade, they do so directly into a home’s structural wood. Once inside, they do their best to stay hidden. It isn’t until years of eating that noticeable signs begin to show up. Here are some things homeowners most commonly notice that clue them into a termite problem.
- Mud tubes running up exterior walls
- Tight-fitting doors and windows
- Soft clicking sounds coming from inside walls
- Hollow-sounding wood
- Overly squeaky floorboards
- Dipping ceilings
- Bubbling wallpaper or paint
- Buckling support beams
- Visible tunnels running through wood
- Other severe structural damage
How To Spot Termites Early
Of course, the last thing you want is to find termites after they have severely damaged your home. The only question is, how can you spot termites early? The truth is, there is only really one way, and that is with a quality inspection. Lucky for you, our trained pest technicians here at Cantu Pest & Termite know how to spot termites early within your home. If you want to know for certain if your home is termite-free, we’d be happy to take a look.
What You Can Do To Keep Your Home Termite-Free
Once you have established that your home does not have termites, your next step should be getting your home the proper defenses. Here are some great ways you can combat termites on your own.
- Store firewood and lumber at least 30 feet from your home’s exterior.
- Reduce moisture in and around your home by fixing broken gutters, repairing leaky piping, and using a dehumidifier where necessary.
- Repair or replace water-damaged, rotting, or decaying wood around your home.
- Seal gaps and cracks in your home’s exterior foundation using a caulking gun.
- Do your best to limit direct soil contact with your home’s structural wood.
- Avoid using wood-based mulch products, especially right next to your home.
If you are looking for an easier and more effective way to keep termites off your property and out of your home, we have quality solutions for you here at Cantu Pest & Termite. All of our Dallas termite control options can be custom-built to fit your home’s individual needs.
Give us a call today to find out more about our Dallas pest control services or to find the right pest control plan for your home.