You do not want termites in your Raleigh home. These tiny terrors will chew through wood 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and the damage they cause is unbelievable. They cause American homeowners, on average, 5 billion dollars in damages each year due to their insatiable appetites and detrimental work. Termites are known to reproduce and grow in numbers very quickly, which can make a small problem a big issue almost overnight. These ferocious pests can very quickly and easily explode into an unmanageable issue. Here are some tips to protect your home from silent swarmers.
Common Termites In The Raleigh Area
These are some of the types of termites that Raleigh homeowners can anticipate encountering:
- Formosan termites might not be the most common species in the United States, but they do exist in the Raleigh area. The hungriest and most clever termite species, commonly known as “super termites.” Almost translucent in color, Formosan termites measure ½ inch and have a broad waist. They will chew through flooring, wood, and wallpaper, making them the most difficult to control once they’ve invaded a location.
- Drywood Termites are known to infest dead wood found in your home, so be on the lookout for compromised roofs and wooden wall supports. Due to their specific moisture needs, they require higher humidity and constant contact with water, making a leaky roof or wooden siding a desirable home for them.
- Subterranean Termites build mud tubes to gain access to food sources and for protection from the open air. Their underground colonies are built in moist, aboveground areas that can contain up to 2 million members. Homeowners should note that this is the most destructive species of termite, as they work and eat 24/7. Their ravenous nature is powerful enough to entirely ruin the stability of a home.
Signs Of Termite Activity
Termites can infest inside your home in a slew of ways. Some are subtle, and others, less so. If you suspect you have termites in your Raleigh home, look for some of the following signs;
- Blisters in wood flooring may signal that termites are eating through the flooring or have already done significant damage.
- Hollowed or damaged wood means that termites have gotten what they came for.
- Mud tubes are a telltale sign of termites. These termite highways that they use to travel between their food source and their nest protects them from predators and the outside.
- Drywood termite droppings are a clear sign that termites have fed and are within living distance.
- Buckling walls or ceilings illustrate that a structure is compromised due to termite damage.
- Maze-like patterns in wooden structures show that termites have worked their way to a food source.
- Swarms of termites themselves mean that there is most likely an entire infestation. Though you may not see the infestation, you may notice discarded wings near doors or windows.
Health Concerns With Termites
Though termites don’t pose an immediate threat to your health, they have been known to stir up allergies because of the debris that their chewing causes. As termites eat through the wood inside your home, they can also disturb the mold and mildew, releasing spores into the air. This causes the spores to be spread to other areas of the home. As the spores move through the air, they can trigger asthma in some people and aggravate allergies.
If you do spot signs of termites, the best course of action is to contact the professionals at Pest & Termite Consultants right away. Reach out to us today to learn more about our termite inspection, prevention, and elimination programs.