What would you do if you came outside one day to find a beaver chewing away at the walls of your home? Animal control would be on the phone in a matter of minutes. The simple truth is that if you saw any creature actively destroying your home you would call someone to have them removed immediately. The question is, what do you do when you cannot see the creature eating your Saratoga County home? How can you know when to call in the professionals? Turns out, with the right precautions, you might not have to call anyone at all. Here is everything you need to know to keep your home safe from termites.
What Are Termites
Many different species of termites exist around the world, 2,000 to be precise. To avoid writing a book, today we will only be talking about the most common species of termite here in Saratoga, subterranean termites. As their name would suggest, subterranean termites live primarily underground. They do this in order to stay moist and avoid the harsh conditions of open-air and sunlight. When not underground termites can be found chewing away at the inside of water damaged, rotting, or decaying wood.
One major problem associated with subterranean termites is how silently they invade homes. It is not uncommon for infestations to go unnoticed for several years before being discovered. Most often, by the time termites are found, the damage they have done is already irreversible. The good news is, with a little knowledge, you can learn how to spot termites early.
How To Spot Termites
When termites invade, they leave behind a few signs. Here are a few things you can look for to identify a termite infestation within your own Saratoga County home.
- Mud Tubes: If a foundation of stone or concrete lies between exterior soil and the wood of your home, a mud tube is required for termites to safely invade. These mud tubes are about the width of a pencil.
- Frass: Termites live on a steady diet of wood. Frass is a term used to describe termite excrement. Frass can be found in piles very similar to sawdust and is only produced by dry wood termites.
- Soft Clicking: If you place your ear up to a piece of wood termites are eating you should be able to hear the sound of soft clicking.
- Galleries Through Wood: When termites eat wood they tend to do so along the grain. This behavior can create visible galleries along the outside of wood given enough time.
- Bubbling Wallpaper/Paint: As termite infestations grow, bubbling caused by excess moisture can occur behind paint and wallpaper.
- Tight Fitting Doors/Windows: Moisture problems caused by termites can also lead to difficult to open doors and windows.
- Overly Squeaky Floorboards: Extensive termite damage can lead to dipping floors as well as overly squeaky floorboards.
As termite infestations become more severe, more serious structural damage may present itself around your home.
Why Termites Might Like Your Home and How To Keep Them Away
Many factors make homes more susceptible to termite invasion. Just a few are wood to soil contact, wood-based mulch, water damaged wood, moisture problems, and organic debris in your yard. To reduce your chances of a termite infestation, address any of these problems present around your property.
For extra protection against termites, consider getting the professionals at Old School Pest Control involved. Our team of highly trained pest experts knows what it takes to quickly remove and keep termites out of Saratoga homes and would be happy to assist with any problems you might be having.
Reach out to us today to schedule an inspection for your home or to discuss your options for termite control.