(Newswire.net — June 10, 2016) — Termites are the bane of any homeowner’s existence. They can ruin the integrity of the home over time and cause permanent damage to the structure. Effective pest control for termites can seem nearly impossible if they’re not identified early. People have often asked if there are warning signs or ways to prevent termites in the first place. Thankfully, there are answers to each of these questions about termites every homeowner should know.
1. What are Some Common Signs of Termites?
Termites cause a lot of damage to the inner walls of wooden structures. This makes it difficult for people to identify if they have a termite problem in the first place. There are a few outward signs people can look for to see if they have a termite infestation or not. The first is mud tubes that have a flattened, muddy appearance to them. They should be no wider than a straw and can be found in certain places. Mud tubes will often appear around plumbing, pipes, behind siding, baseboards, piers, and even chimneys. Checking for hollow wood by tapping a screwdriver handle along a few inches of wood should do it, too. The handle may break through the wood, and this is a definite sign there is a termite infestation taking place.
2. How Much Damage Can Termites Cause?
Termites can cause an untold amount of damage to homes. The treatment for a termite infestation can be around $3500 and up depending on the damage. Termites as a whole cause an estimated $5 billion in repair costs and property damages annually. There are more than 4 million homes in the United States alone that are at risk for a termite infestation each year.
3. How can Termites Spread?
Termites can spread a number of ways into a structure or home. How quickly they spread depends, but when termites begin to show up in multiple spots is when people will start to notice. Termites can spread through wooden walls, scrap wood, the transportation of termite infest wood, and even railway ties. There are even colonies that produce flying termites that can spread the colony further. This means there is the potential of a termite colony spreading from one home to another, similar to ants.
4. What do Termites Look Like?
These pests are actually very easy to identify once people know what they’re looking for. The termite worked is a soft bodied, pale insect that is about a quarter of an inch long. They can be smaller, but they don’t get any bigger. They do have a head and body since their thorax is joined to their abdomen. The antennae are completely straight, but many people still mistake termites for white ants. Ants are actually heavily pigmented and it’s easy to see their three body regions, where termites it appears they only have two body regions.
5. Are Termite Infestations Reported?
Surprisingly, there are not many laws, regulations, or even requirements for reporting termite infestations. Municipalities do recommend to hire a professional exterminator when a termite infestation has been found. The City of Guelph does follow termite procedures for anyone who lives within the city’s termite management zones. Unless a home is located in one of Guelph’s termite management zones, cities usually do not become involved with termite infestations. They may get involved if the insects have caused a structural issue with the home. Municipal governments also require permits when structural repair is being done to a home due to termite damage.
Being aware of the tell-tale signs of termite damage and having the home checked for these pests regularly can help prevent an infestation. If a termite infestation is discovered, hire a professional exterminator like UltraPro Pest Protection immediately for effective pest protection.
UltraPro Pest Protection
23 Bergenline Avenue
Westwood, NJ 07675
877-492-2252
http://ultrapropestcontrol.com
With over 30 years of experience in eliminating bed bugs, termites, and rodents, UltraPro Pest Protection is emerging as New York and New Jersey’s leading pest control service for homeowners and commercial businesses.
For more information, visit ultrapropestcontrol.com