In order to determine whether or not you have a termite infestation in your house, it's important to do regular check-ups every season. It's wise to get a termite inspection from a professional at least once a year. Signs of termites don't usually crop up as easily as some other pests, but a few things to look out for are:
- Termite wings on window sills, vents, or near any exit to the outside.
- Wood that has become soft in your home.
- Dark spots on exposed wood.
- Uneven paint, or paint bubbles.
- Mud tubes.
- Termite droppings, which look like mounds of tiny pellets.
Discovering any of the following signs is enough evidence of termites to be concerned.
The Extent Of Property Damage Termites Can Create
While termites don't contaminate your food or spread diseases, they are widely feared because they can cause some pretty serious damage to your property. They infest wood in order to feed their colonies which are composed of thousands of termites. Because they eat wood from the inside out, termite infestations are very difficult to find until they've created substantial damage. Termites can slowly eat away at support beams, walls, flooring, and even wallpaper.
By eating away at the wood on your property, that wood becomes weaker and may eventually collapse. In addition to wood and wallpaper, termites can also chew through wire insulation, causing electrical damage to your property as well. While termites work slowly, they can cause severe property damage in as little as six months if undetected. You should take any evidence of termite damage seriously.
Why It Is So Hard To Get Rid Of Termites On Your Property
There are a few reasons why termites are so hard to get rid of on your property. One reason is that they are difficult to find. Termites can sometimes go undetected for up to ten years in a home, giving these creatures ample time to slowly work their way through the wood on your property until it's too late. It's also very rare to find a termite out in the open.
Another reason why it's hard to get rid of termites is that their colonies consist of hundreds and thousands of members. Termites reproduce very quickly, and a queen can lay several thousand eggs every day. As their colony grows, they expand further and infest more areas of your home.
Finally, when the termite queen dies, one of the regular termites can grow into a queen and take its place. This unique quality of termites makes them very difficult to destroy. Ants, for example, are reliant on their queen for reproduction. However, termites can regenerate others themselves.
Call The Professionals At The First Sign Of Termites In Your Home
As you can see, termites behave in rare ways that make them nearly impossible to destroy by yourself. The best way to get rid of termites safely and effectively is to hire termite control professionals near you. In McAllen, there's no one better qualified in termite removal than BUGWORKS Termite & Pest Control. If you've discovered signs of termites, don't wait for them to destroy your home - call us today.