If you arm yourself with the knowledge you need to protect your home, you stand a good chance of eliminating termites in your home before they become out of control. By following a few simple steps, you can safeguard your family’s well-being and your home’s structural integrity.
Know the Signs. Though many cases require termite control services, yo
ur eyes are the first line of defense. Winged termites, known as swarmers, are sent from the main termite colony to form satellite colonies elsewhere.
If you find winged termites inside your home, you almost certainly have a major infestation. Tubes of mud – a termite’s freeway – are a reliable indicator of their presence, as is ostensible damage – particularly to the foundation base or patio areas.
Know Your Enemy. Termites are organized creatures. Like bees and ants, they operate out of centralized hives. Termites have multiple queens, who lay eggs, and one king, who assists in raising young termites. Worker and soldier classes, respectively, build and protect the nesting area, and the reproductive class – swarmers – seek out new breeding grounds.
Termites are most often found in the spring. Many infestations are discovered March through May because these are prime swarming times. However, in Florida, where the temperature is fairly warm, termites may be active all year. Warmer temperatures and rainfall inspire termites to expand their empire and discover new breeding grounds.
Know Your Plan. Spot-treatment is rarely effective. It may seem cheaper and easier to treat your home on your own, but without the expertise of a professional, colonies that are not completely eradicated will most likely return. Repeated ineffective treatments may lead to an evolved resistance to certain pesticides, meaning each successive generation will be more difficult to kill.
To minimize damage, it’s wise to call a termite exterminator or other pest control service at the earliest sign of an issue. Chemicals used are EPA tested for safety – meaning they’ll destroy termites, not you and your pets.
No treatment is a lifetime guarantee, but many companies will retreat at no additional cost if termites return. Some offer free evaluations, so even if you think you don’t have conclusive evidence that termites have invaded your home, you can have a professional double-check. With early detection and treatment, you’ll be on your way to a safer, termite-free home.