When you think of the things that can cause the most damage to your home, some obvious and seriously big things come to mind. Fire, hurricanes, and flooding are all things we must be concerned about as homeowners in Florida. And while those huge problems are things we should be worried about, one of our most concerning foes is also one of the tiniest. Termites are small but mighty pests that can do some of the greatest damage to our homes.
What Are Termites?
Termites are ant-sized, winged bugs that eat cellulose, which is a commonly occurring substance found in wood and paper. In homes, termites are most attracted to the wood and drywall that make up the walls of the building. Termites look unassuming, they don’t bite or harm people directly, but the damage they can cause to a home is substantial.
Termites Work Quickly
You’ve never met a creature so singularly focused as a termite. When they find a piece of wood to sink their little pincers into, they will eat and eat without stopping until they’ve eaten up the whole thing. But that’s not the end of the story. In addition to their ferocious appetites, termites reproduce very quickly. A mature termite queen can lay thousands of eggs a day. With a termite colony reproducing at that rate, you can imagine how difficult it can be to gain control of a termite problem.
Termites Are Sneaky
Because they do most of their work behind your walls, termites can live and eat in your home for months or years before you even realize you have a problem. You may only see direct signs of damage if you were to pull back the drywall and get a good look at the wooden structure beneath.
How To Spot Termite Damage
There are some common signs of a termite infestation that homeowners have to keep their eyes out for. Two of the most common are termite wings and frass, often discovered on windowsills or around baseboards. Termites discard their wings after they swarm and around the time they decide to create a home within your home. Frass refers to the fine piles of what looks like sawdust they leave behind. Though it looks like sawdust, it’s actually droppings. If you see wings or frass around your home, take it as a sign to call termite control immediately before the problem worsens.
What To Do When You Have Termites
You should immediately call a termite control company when you see signs of termites. As you now know, visible signs of termites mean that an infestation has likely been happening for a significant period of time. The earlier in the process, you can stop them, the better. If you’re concerned about the impact of a potential termite infestation at your home or business, contact Holder Pest Control today.
