Last week was the annual Termite Awareness Week, and although we spent some time further educating ourselves and others on termite prevention, detection, and treatment, it doesn’t mean that termites are going to stop eating up our homes from the inside out. We recommend preparing for this spring’s termite reemergence by learning more about how they operate and how to tell if you have a problem in your house.
What Are the Signs of Termites in Your Home?
Termites have been given the nickname “the silent destroyers” because of their ability to go undetected chewing through wood, flooring, and wallpaper. These quiet critters are always on the go – termites can feed 24 hours a day, seven days a week!
Keep an eye out for these 7 signs that termites might have infested your home:
- Mud tubes on the exterior of the home – termites build these to travel to new food sources.
- Soft wood in your house that sounds hollow when tapped.
- Darkening or blistering of wood structures.
- Cracked or bubbling paint.
- Small piles of feces that resemble sawdust.
- Winged termites, called swarmers, flying around your house.
- Discarded wings near doors or window sills, which indicate that swarmers have entered the home.
When Do Termites Swarm?
Unfortunately, termites will start to swarm in high numbers very soon. Some colonies might already be active here in Southern Louisiana, as the mixture of rain and rising temperatures provides them with an ideal climate. As temperatures increase, termites emerge in search of mates and suitable spots to create new colonies.
Formosan termites are most likely to cause problems in Louisiana this spring, so homeowners should remain vigilant and routinely inspect the foundation of the home for signs of termites.
Professional Termite Control
Now is the time to take note of potential termite damage on your property. If you notice any of the above indications of a termite outbreak in your home, reach out to our professional termite exterminators for a free quote. We have many years of experience diagnosing and clearing termite-infested homes and are currently preparing to help Louisiana head into spring with sturdy houses free of pests!
A termite infestation can cause any property owner a lot of problems. In addition to being one of the most destructive insects, termites can be costly and dangerous for a number of reasons. Although termites don’t carry and spread diseases in the same way other pests do, a serious infestation can make you sick. This is due to the mold associated with significant termite infestations. If you have a termite problem in your Baton Rouge home, mold often is also discovered due to the decay of wood.