Tips For Avoiding Termites
February 26, 2020
Of the approximately 2,000 known termite species, the one thing they have in common is a love for wood. They are a serious threat to home and business owners, causing over $5 billion in property damage annually; damage which is generally not covered by a homeowner's insurance. While standard homeowners' policies cover damages and perils that are sudden or accidental, infestations are considered to be caused by a lack of preventative maintenance and, as such, is the homeowner's responsibility. Columbus ranked #42 in the most termite-infested
cities in the U.S.
Common Termite Species
Eastern Subterranean Termites
By far the most widespread and destructive species in the U.S., they live in underground colonies building mud tubes for safe, sheltered passage. These colonies can expand to live above ground when provided moisture, such as a blocked rain gutter or a leaky pipe. They're preferred foods are softwood and newspapers.
Formosan Termites
Also widespread across the U.S. are the invasive Formosan Termites. Not native to North America, Formosans were likely imported from China or Japan. Larger than other species, they can create massive underground colonies of thousands, devour and destroy large volumes of wood at a rapid rate.
Drywood Termites
Unlike their subterranean cousins, Drywood Termites do not need to be near the soil, nor do they create mud tunnels. Preferring to eat wood with a moisture content below 12%, they establish their nests in roofing materials, wooden support beams, furniture, and hardwood floors. While most prevalent in the southwestern region of the U.S. and Mexico, Drywood Termites can be transported to all corners of the United States via infested furniture and lumber.
Dampwood Termites
Opposite of Drywood species, Dampwood Termites prefer wet, decaying wood like tree stumps or old woodpiles. While not as interested in the drier wood that makes up most homes and buildings, your utility poles, fences, and untreated outbuildings all ring the dinner bell.
Signs of a Termite Infestation:
- Discolored drywall
- Small, pinholes in drywall
- Squeaky floorboards
- Crumbling, damaged wood molding
- Maze-like damage patterns in furniture or floorboards.
- Mud tubes climbing the foundation of your buildings
- Swarms of flying termite on your property or termite wings discarded after swarms.
Tips for Avoiding Termites
Keep Wood Away From Buildings
Woodpiles stacked against the side of your house keeps it in easy reach during chilly winter months, but it also provides an easy source of food adjacent to warm shelter. The same goes for wood-based products stored in attics or crawlspaces. To minimize risk, stack or store all wood-based products several yards from buildings, and keep the wood elevated off the ground.
Keep Foundations Dry
Like any other living creature, termites need moisture to survive. Improper drainage creates another ideal living condition for these wood munchers. Maintain your downspouts so that they are diverting rainwater away from your home's foundation. Exterior faucets and air-conditioning drip can also cause pooling water, as can gutters clogged with leaf debris, which collects moisture as it decays. All of these issues can create an ideal environment for termite infestations.
Clear Foundations of Mulch
Wood mulch is a simple, inexpensive way to increase the aesthetic value of your home.
Unfortunately, it can also create the perfect ideal living conditions for termite activity. It's best to keep mulch raked away from foundations by at least six inches and to make sure that it never comes in contact with siding, or the framing of doors and windows.
Keep Overhanging Tree Limbs and Bushes Trimmed
Tree branches above your roof, or overgrown bushes against the sides of buildings, create sheltered areas, allows for moisture build-up, and give pests, including termites, an easy path into your home. They can also cause blockages and drainage issues in gutters, which becomes an ideal habitat for an aerial infestation.
Have Professionals Inspect and Treat Your Home
While all of the above steps can make homes and buildings less appealing to termites, the best way to deal with these voracious pests is to hire a trained professional to do an annual inspection. Included is a search for infestations, as well as find and seal any hidden openings that could allow termites to enter. These infestations can go unnoticed for years, and it requires a trained and experienced eye to spot the signs and identify what species are feasting on your property and inside your home.
Treating your home or new property for termites, as a preventive measure, is a wise investment. Contact Restoration Pest Management today and take your property off the lunch menu!
How To Get Rid of Carpenter Ants Removing ants from your home can be challenging, and if not executed properly, it may exacerbate the issue and allow the colony to spread throughout your residence. Numerous over-the-counter pesticides are marketed for ant control, but they often fail to address the root cause of the infestation. What Lures Carpenter Ants Ants invade your home because they discover an environment that offers favorable conditions along with food and water sources. Typically, ants are drawn to moisture issues, particularly Carpenter Ants. Over time, the barriers that prevent moisture from penetrating the wood in your home deteriorate. Windowsills and door frames begin to degrade, caulking cracks, and moisture seeps into these areas. When wood moisture levels rise, it creates an inviting environment for various wood-destroying pests, including ants. Carpenter Ants utilize their mandibles to excavate the wood, creating nesting cavities. While they do not consume wood like termites , they can still inflict damage, including structural harm to your home if not addressed promptly. Black Carpenter Ants Ants, in general, are social insects, each fulfilling specific roles within their colony. They collaborate and share resources throughout their community. To effectively eliminate ants, it is crucial not to disrupt their activities but rather to provide them with something they recognize as food or a substance they cannot detect, which will spread throughout the colony and eradicate the source of the infestation. Carpenter Ants, in particular, can have multiple satellite colonies away from the main colony, depending on their level of establishment. The primary colony can be located up to 300 feet from a satellite colony, often found in decaying trees, logs, or nearby woodpiles. How to Treat Carpenter Ants – Mount Gilead, Ohio Many homeowners prefer to tackle these annoying pests on their own to save some money. While this might seem like a cost-effective choice, it can sometimes worsen the issue by embedding the problem deeper into your home, causing the colony to spread and divide. Many over-the-counter solutions, such as chemicals, essential oils, and vinegar, are designed to repel insects quickly, providing a temporary fix. This approach may push the ants out of sight, but it creates a repellant barrier that can lead to the ants splitting into two groups, allowing them to infiltrate untreated areas of your home. Consequently, this method fails to eliminate the source colony from which the ants originate. Liquid Ant Bait For minor ant infestations, using an over-the-counter borax ant bait can be an effective first step in the elimination process until a pest control expert can evaluate and address the issue properly. Ant baits are specifically designed to attract ants, which perceive them as food, and they subsequently distribute it throughout the colony. Borax ant baits offer a low-risk option to help prevent a larger infestation from developing. Control Carpenter Ants – Columbus, Ohio In the end, having ants in your home can pose a more significant problem than just the few visible in your kitchen or bathroom. Engaging a pest control professional like Restoration Pest Management, who can accurately diagnose and treat the infestation, is the most effective solution for long-term success . While homeowners can perform localized and spot treatments, a pest control expert will ensure your whole home is safeguarded against ant invasions both now and in the future. Contact Restoration Pest Management today at 614-204-8630 for your complimentary quote.
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