We have some good news and some bad news for you. One of the hard truths about living in the south is that your home is more vulnerable to termite infestations than most other places in the country. It’s the big trade that we take for living in such a temperate climate. But don’t let that get you down. The good news is that with consistent and dependable termite control services you can protect your home from sustaining serious and long-term termite damage.
We find fairly often that our new clients have a limited understanding of what termite control entails. Yes, fumigation (known to many as “tenting”) is an aspect of termite control and an important one at that. But, it’s also meant to be a last resort. Think of termite control as taking your house to the dentist. You can wait until your teeth start hurting to go in and get a root canal, or you can visit your dentist on a more regular basis and hopefully prevent any major issues. The same is true of termite control. We’ll happily come out and fumigate your home if you have an existing termite control problem. But, we’d prefer to treat your home on an ongoing basis and save you the time, cost, and frustration of a significant termite control treatment.
In the spirit of termite prevention, we’ve compiled a list of warning signs that you should keep your eye out for. Before we get to that we should mention that the best way to tell if your home needs termite control is to call a termite control expert for an inspection. One of the most frustrating things about termites is their ability to thrive hidden behind the walls of your home and do damage before you even notice the warning signs. That’s why there’s no time like the present to invest in termite control.
Your Home’s Foundation Is Touching Soil
A complicating factor about termite control is that different types of termites gain entry to your home in different ways. Some termites swarm and attack from above, while others dig tunnels and attack your home from below. The latter of these termites are called subterranean termites. They are most known for the mud tubes that they build from their home in the ground up the sides of your foundation and into your house. The purpose of these mud tubes is to protect them from the elements and disguise them as they travel. Mud tubes are a significant termite control warning sign, but even if you don’t see them you should be concerned any time the foundation of your home is directly touching the soil. If there is a way for termites to find their way into your home they will find it.
Your Home Seems To Stay Damp
Termites eat cellulose, and the primary place they find it is in the wooden elements that make up your home. To be even more specific, termites love warm, damp wood. The kind of wood that is found in areas of your home that never seem to get dry. For example, if you have a downspout that batters the side of your home causing some of the wood to rot, you may be unintentionally creating ideal conditions for termites. The same is true of pipes and shower pans that leak in your bathroom, kitchen, or laundry room. Dark, damp spaces in and around your home are a great termite control concern as they are actively inviting termites inside.
There Are Infested Trees On Or Near Your Property
Often, termites don’t just appear in your house. They travel from somewhere nearby in search of their next home. Frequently in Central Florida, we see homes in dire need of termite control that are surrounded by trees that have the same problem. As you look around your property, notice the trees and bushes that are near your home. How do they look? Are they healthy? If you suspect that you have trees and plants near your home that are infested, call for professional termite control as soon as possible. It is only a matter of time until those termites make their way to your home.
When you live in the south, termite control is not just an activity, it’s a lifestyle. Here in Central Florida, we are more susceptible to termite infestations and termite damage. That’s why we urge our customers to view termite control as an ongoing service and not simply the last-ditch effort to solve a big termite problem. If you’re on the fence about your need for termite control, let us assure you that the reasonable monthly fees for our services are much more affordable than the cost, time, and frustration of having to invest in more involved termite control services. For more information about Hold Termite and Pest Control or to schedule a free consultation, contact us today.
