Our fully inclusive guide on the things that homeowners should know about controlling termites.
Being a homeowner comes with a wealth of responsibility when you think about it, doesn’t it? You are ultimately responsible for the cleanliness of your home and the wellbeing of those living there, which can be impacted negatively by having pests in the home.
Now, not all of us are clued up on our pest talk, are we? And who can blame us! Homeowners hope not to have an issue with uninvited guests in the home, and yet it is a part of life that we can’t always avoid, and some of them are difficult to spot.
Let’s take termites for example. Termites are not good for your home, and can be difficult to spot with the naked eye. So how can you keep your home safe from termites?
Read on for our fully inclusive guide on all of the things you should know as a homeowner about termite control.
How Can I Tell the Difference Between Termites and Ants?
One of the most difficult things about spotting termites, to the untrained eye, is telling the difference between termites and ants. Particularly winged ants.
So how, as a homeowner, can you decipher whether or not you have termites, or a winged ant problem?
Read on to find out more below!
- Both winged ants and termites have antennae, which can be confusing. However, if you look up close, a termite’s antennae will be straight, whereas a winged ants will be curved.
- Looking at the shape of the bodies of both winged ants and termites, termites have a wider set waist. In comparison, winged ants have narrow waists which actually makes them resemble bees.
- Both termites and flying ants can fly, and each have two pairs of wings. However, whereas ant’s wings are larger in the front and smaller in the back, both of a termite’s wings are the same size.
- Looking at swarming termites, they tend to range from around one quarter of an inch long, anywhere up to three – eighths of an inch long. This is roughly the same size as a carpenter ant, or even a large fire ant. A fire ant will be somewhere between one – eighth of an inch, up to one quarter of an inch long. If we’re looking at damp – wood and dry – wood termites, then these are larger than the subterranean termites.
- In some cases, worker termites are almost translucent in colour, whereas winged ants will be dark brown / black in colour.
So as you can see, although telling the difference can be difficult, there are distinct changes between ants and termites.
What are the in – Home Signs of a Termite Infestation?
Even if you can’t see the termites with the naked eye, there are some definite signs you can spot throughout the home which point to you having a termite problem.
We are going to be listing the typical signs of termite infestation just below.
Swarms of Termites
One of the first signs of termites are, their swarms. These are reproductive males and females who have moved to start a new colony, and they tend to leave their nests once or twice a year.
You’re likely to find these near light fixtures.
Discarded Wings
If you find discarded wings around your home, then it’s likely the swarm has found a new place in order to colonise. This is because they no longer have a need to travel, and will shift their focus towards mating and starting a colony.
You’re likely to find these near entry points of doors and ledges.
Termite Droppings
Also referred to as “Frass”, termite droppings are a clear indicator that you have an infestation in your home.
These look like small pellets or wood shavings, and actually look a little like sawdust in appearance. These are likely to be found anywhere in the home where there is wood.
The Sound of “Head Banging”
Sight isn’t the only indicator that you have termites in your home. There is likely to be sound also.
This is usually referred to as “head banging”, as this is when termites bang their heads against wood, and even shake their bodies in order to signal there is danger to other termites.
This tends to echo from walls as a quiet clicking noise.
As you can see, there are an array of signs which would indicate you have termites in your home.
What Homeowners Should Know About Termites
Next up, we’re getting to the important bit, where we start to explore what homeowners should really know about termites, and keeping them under control in their property.
Let’s take a look, shall we?
The Damage Can be Huge
The first thing homeowners should really know, is that termites can cause a LOT of damage to their property.
They are so dangerous, because of the structural damage they are capable of causing on properties in which they infest. In the US – and that’s only the US – they are recorded as causing damage worth the sum of $5 Billion every single year. Of course, this makes them a threat to the homeowner.
A common misconception about termites is that they only target wooden structures. In fact, plaster, insulation, and metal siding can also be susceptible to termite damage. This will put the average home in a much worse position than you may have initially anticipated.
They Aren’t Just a Seasonal Issue
Many people think that termites are only an issue in certain seasons, however this really isn’t the case.
This is a big issue for many. Why? Because the vast majority of professionals will only suggest you have seasonal inspections. A prime example of this, would be that you’re only suggested to inspect your roof bi – annually.
The issue with termites, is that they can cause as many issues through the winter as they can through the summer. This is because they hide out in your walls, where the temperature is warm, even when outdoors it’s bitterly cold. You should be sure to inspect your structure every season.
Don’t Go DIY in Your Solution
Sometimes, going DIY in your pest extermination is alright, but when it comes to termites, this simply isn’t the case.
It’s no wonder people lean towards DIY though really, is it? It tends to be a lot cheaper than calling out an exterminator, and you don’t have to book and wait for an appointment.
The issue is that doing it yourself isn’t always reliable, and regardless of how much time you invest into it, there is absolutely no guarantee that the results will be exactly what you need.
When it comes to termites, there is a lot at stake. Literally the entire structural integrity of your property is at risk, so you don’t want to be taking chances.
We would recommend ringing a professional and well – reputed extermination company, and having a termite treatment in order to get your home rid thoroughly of these pests. After all, as we said, the risks of not doing so are enormous.
Prevention is the Key
We quite often find ourselves advising that prevention is the best solution, and that is no less the case when it comes to termite infestations.
The more suitable a habitat your home is for termites, the more likely they are to target your property. For example, moisture condensed in wood will attract them, and therefore if there isn’t excessive wood moisture in your home, there is not a reason for them to inhabit it.
Keeping your home well ventilated is a good solution for this, particularly in rooms such as attics and basements.
Don’t Panic – You Have Time!
Last of all, but by no means least, we advise you not to panic, because you do have time.
Of course, the sooner you discover your termite problem, the less damage they’re going to make, and that’s just common sense.
However, it’s not a huge matter of urgency. Yes, act quickly, but the fact of the matter is that a colony of termites will take as long as one hundred and sixty days to consumer a one foot length of wood with the dimensions of two by four.
The biggest issue, is that many people aren’t actively looking for termites, and don’t actually recognise an infestation when it occurs.
Our advice would simply be to get yourself clued up on what a termite infestation actually looks like, and to have regular inspections. Only then can you really know for sure when your home is infested, and whether or not termites are posing a threat to your home. furthermore, it will also help you prepare with prevention – and don’t we always say that prevention is often the best solution? Stop the damage before damage is caused!
We hope this has helped home owners out there in their knowledge on termite control. Thanks for reading!