Of all the common pests that may infest your Edisto Island property, few are as destructive as termites. That’s because termites feed on the cellulose found in wood, destroying the wood in the process. While this makes them beneficial to the ecosystem, as they help break down fallen trees, it also means termites can cause extensive damage to Edisto Island properties. In fact, termites are responsible for over five billion dollars in property damage each year across the United States alone, mostly because people don’t even know they have a termite infestation until it is too late and the damage is done. That’s why you need to know the signs of a termite infestation and request immediate service from termite control professionals at the first sign of a problem.
Termite Need-To-Know Basics
Termites are ant-like insects that can be yellow, red, brown, or black. They live in colonies made up of three different castes. These are workers, soldiers, and reproductives. The workers gather food for the colony while soldiers protect the colony from threats. Reproductives, which have wings, leave the nest to create new colonies in a process known as a termite swarm. Termites are most likely to swarm between spring and early fall, known as termite season. You need to be prepared for termites all year long, but especially during termite season.
Why It’s Hard To Spot Termite Infestations
Unlike other pests, you aren’t likely to ever spot a termite in your home unless it is during a termite swarm. That’s because they either remain within their subterranean nests or the wood that they are eating. As such, it isn’t easy to know when your home harbors an infestation. Many people go months or even years before they realize they have termites. Unfortunately, at that point, extensive damage has already been inflicted upon the property.
Signs Of A Termite Infestation
Given that termites can be hard to spot, you need to know other signs you can look for to tell if your home has a termite infestation. That way, you can act quickly to contact the local pest professionals and limit the damage. These signs include:
Windows and doors that are tight-fitting in their frames.
Frass (a sawdust-like material) on the surfaces of your home.
Swarmers, or their shed wings, on the surfaces of your home.
Excessively squeaky floorboards.
Soft, rustling noises coming from inside your walls.
Mud tubes in the soil around the property.
If you notice any of these signs, contact the professionals right away.
Termite Prevention Measures
While preventing termite infestations on your Edisto Island property isn’t always easy, there are some steps you can take to help limit your exposure. These include making your home less accessible to termites and limiting the factors that attract them.
Remove or replace any water-damaged or decaying wood.
Use dehumidifiers in poorly ventilated areas.
Fix any leaky pipes or fixtures.
Seal cracks in the foundation with caulk.
Limit wood-to-soil contact around the property.
Store firewood away from the exterior of the property.
Effective Termite Control Solutions For Your Edisto Island Property
If you do notice any signs of a termite infestation, contact the professionals here at Apex of Edisto Pest Management right away. The longer you wait, the more damage these pests can cause, so time is a factor. Our certified pest technicians possess the experience and expertise needed to effectively eliminate any termite infestation you might be dealing with. We will also work with you to take the necessary steps to help prevent future infestations. Give us a call today to learn more about our termite control process.
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