Follow These Signs to Prevent a Termite Invasion Early

Spring is creeping its way into our lives and it’s not the only thing creeping in. When the temperature rises, the frozen ground turns to mud. When termites had previously had a hard time gaining access to your home, they can now burrow their way in through the soft earth, foundation cracks, even by hitching a ride on firewood. So, what are the signs of termite infestations?

Wings

When warm temperatures and high humidity occur, it can trigger a surge of termite swarmers to populate. They’ll fly from the original colony in search of mating partners. After they’ve finished mating, they tend to shed or bite off their wings.

First, know the difference between a swarm of flying ants and a swarm of termites. These two pests are very similar in appearance but require vastly different courses of treatment. Seeing a termite swarm on your property is a good indication that you have an infestation or will have one soon.

Mud Tubes

Subterranean termites build mud tubes near the foundation of the home to maintain moisture and provide protection. They use these tunnels to travel between the colony and the food source. The mud tubes are primarily for the termites’ protection‑both from predators and the elements.

Mud tubes are largely dirt and moisture but can also be made up partially of wood. This can make the tube quite hard and even more noticeable. Keep an eye out for these tell-tale signs of termite infestations.

Imperfect Surfaces

Other highly plausible signs of termite infestations are two big offenders: bubbling paint and hollow wood. An indicator of termites can look like water damage to paint. It can be difficult to tell the difference. Termite will traverse underneath siding or walls and it can resemble water beneath the paint layer.

Wood that has been chomped by termites can appear dark or damp. The surefire way of checking is to tap on the wooden surface. Wood that has been impacted by termites will sound hollow or thin. Pressing hard on wood and it feeling soft is another sign.

How You Can Battle Signs of Termite Infestations

The best way to treat termites is to prevent them in the first place. So how do you stop termites from taking over? Here’s a few tips:

• Move Firewood Away From The House – The National Pest Management Association recommends keeping firewood “at least 20 feet away from the home and if possible, store wood raised at least 5 inches from the ground.”
• Clean Your Gutters – Unkept gutters cause two major issues when it comes to termites. Without proper drainage, water can pool and settle against the foundation and over time, weakening and deteriorating its structure. Secondly, termites are attracted to moisture. 
• Clear Brush and Dead Trees from Your Yard – Clearing dead trees and large dead branches from your yard is an obvious way of deterring termites.  If you have felled a tree in your yard and carted off all the wood, the stump remains to provide a potential home for termites.

Don’t let ter-mights turn into ter-wills. Call us at 413-566-8222 or contact us with any questions or if you are experiencing a pest problem. We have the knowledge and the services to correct your infestation. Ask Graduate about our preventative annual plans to keep your home pest-free year-round!