Fighting the Silent Enemy – Protecting Your Home from Termites

Termites are quiet killers that destroy a lot of homes every year. These hungry bugs can do a lot of damage to your property by eating away at the wood that supports your home. 

Do not worry, though, landlord! You can keep your home safe from these harmful bugs by learning how they act and taking steps to stop them. 

Dealing with pests in Portland can be a big problem for people who live there. Get help from a professional pest control agency to effectively get rid of these unwanted guests. 

When termites strike. 

When it is warm and muggy outside, termites are most busy. Spring and early summer are the best times to see termites. This is when they swarm to have babies and start new groups. But in warm places, these stubborn pests can stay active all year. 

Spot the signs of a termite infestation. 

To get rid of termites, it is important to find them early. There are a few clear signs that your home might be in danger:

• Mud tubes: Subterranean termites are easy to spot because they build these tubes for protection from mud and dirt. They make these paths to get from their nest to a food source, which is usually the wooden base of your house.
• Termite swarms: Seeing flying termites buzzing around your home is a clear sign that you have an active termite problem. Termites that leave their colony to start new ones are called swarmers.
• Discarded wings: Termites may have recently swarmed if you find piles of shed wings near windows or doors.
• Damage to the wood: Wood that is damaged and looks thin or falls apart easily when touched could be a sign that termites are eating it.
• Pointy holes: Termites may be active if there are small holes in wood or drywall. 

Take action and protect your home from termites. 

It is better to be safe than sorry when it comes to termites. This is especially true. Here are some things you can do to keep your house safe:

• Controlling moisture: Termites like it when it is damp. Fix taps, pipes, and air conditioners that leak to get rid of sources of moisture near your base.
• Get rid of wood-to-ground contact: Termites can easily get into your home through wooden structures like fences and decks that touch the ground.
• Maintaining mulch: Leave at least six inches of space between the base of your house and the mulch piles. Termites love to eat dirt, and keeping it away from your house will keep them from coming in.
• Putting away firewood: Do not put firewood near your house. The best place for termites to live is in firewood piles, but you do not want them to get too close.
• Regular checks: Have a trained pest control worker do regular termite checks. They can find early signs of an invasion and suggest the best ways to get rid of it. 

Additional tips for termite prevention. 

Fill in cracks and holes in the base, walls, and windows with glue or sealant to keep termites out. Put up real barriers around the base, like chemical or metal mesh barriers. When you build or fix up your home, use wood that is resistant to termites, like pressure-treated lumber. 

To keep termites away from your home, put plants that are poisonous to them, like marigolds and sage. With these tips and extra care, you can keep your home safe from termites and their damaging work. The best way to fight these stubborn pests is to find them early and take steps to stop them from coming back. 

Why professional help is needed. 

If you think you have termites in your home, do not wait to call a skilled pest control service. In order to get rid of termite colonies and keep them from coming back, they have the knowledge and tools to do the job.