Eradicating Termites

Eradicating Termites From Your Dream House: Protecting Your Investment

For such a miniscule creature, the termite annually causes billions of dollars’ worth of damage to property. This insect chiefly feeds on dead wood, and as such, buildings and homes with wooden components are at risk for termite infestation. The termite also feasts on paper (putting books and important documents at risk), soft components of a structure (such as the lining and filter system of swimming pools), and insulation materials installed in buildings and houses. Further, termites could also swarm on living shrubs and thriving plants, causing damage to them.

Protect The Future Value Of Your Home

Termites are a major issue when purchasing or selling a house; simply put, an infested house is a bad investment. Once termite is detected indoors, it is an almost certain sign that there is an infestation; eradicating termites should be done as soon as possible.

Identifying Termites And Differentiating Them From Ants

Termites are oftentimes confused with ants, which also swarm indoors about the same time that the termite is active above-ground. One way to differentiate a termite from an ant is a close inspection of their physical attributes. A termite’s antennae are straight, while those of the ant are bent. Ants have thin waists and two pairs of wings, whereas the termite has a broad middle and a single pair of wings.

Other signs of this insect’s presence in the home are tubular mud columns, about the size of a pencil, which run over walls, building foundations, posts, and/or floor joists.

Eradicating Termites: What Methods Do Not Work?

If the infestation is within the home, do-it-yourself products sold in stores purportedly for eradicating termites are seldom effective. Termite extermination requires the services of professionals. Licensed pest control companies have technicians specially trained to detect colonies in several parts of the house, and the process of eradicating termites usually requires a number of specialized equipment. Consider the expense of hiring professional exterminators as an investment in the future value of your home.