If you're wondering how termites get into your home, you're not alone. Termites can destroy your home twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, regardless of the weather. Learn more about termite types in this article. Here are some common methods:
Subterranean termites
One of the first signs of termite infestations is mud tubes, which are constructed by these pests and are found in crawlspaces and walls. They make these tunnels to access wood in your home. You may notice bubbling paint or uneven paint on your walls. Termite feces, which looks like sawdust, may also be present. These are the most common signs of subterranean termites.
Drywood termites
Drywood termites are insects that live and reproduce in wooden structures, including your home. These insects have large mandibles and a wide pronotum. Their wingless bodies are easy to recognize, and they are similar to subterranean termites. They can enter your home through the seams and crevices in wooden structures. After a colony has populated a home, drywood termites will send out winged swarmers, which are female termites that scour for wood that can be used to build a new colony.
Flying termites
If you're wondering how flying termites can enter your home, you're not alone. Many homeowners face these problems, including unexpected repair bills, high mortgage rates, and insurance premiums. And, if a natural disaster strikes, your home might be attacked by flying termites. While it may be hard to find evidence of their infestation, the following steps will help you recognize and eliminate them. Read on to learn about the best way to get rid of flying termites and prevent expensive damage to your property.
Mud tubes
Termites enter your home through mud tube entrances. These tubes are often visible from the ground. They can be found on exterior concrete home foundations, inside wall cracks, and under floors and siding. These tubes also appear as piles of discarded wings. You should find these if you suspect you have a termite problem. Termites are members of the subterranean termite caste and only enter your home through these routes.
Moisture sources
Whether you live in a humid climate or a dry one, moisture sources are a prime target for termites. In fact, they can destroy your home twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. They are attracted to wood because it provides them with an ideal moist environment. And they will eat anything that can provide this moisture, including wood splinters and frayed wood.
Termite colonies
Termites can be a major nuisance when they invade a home, especially if there is an infestation of these creatures. These termites are found in many parts of the US, including central and southern areas. Although they do have a purpose in the forest, their presence in a home is an infestation. Because termites are blind and always on the lookout for food, identifying a termite colony can be difficult.
Signs of an infestation
Detecting a termite infestation can be a daunting task, especially if you're not familiar with the signs. Termites can enter buildings through hidden crevices or cracks, and don't usually become visible until their populations have grown large enough to produce swarmers. One exception is if you see a tube that may have been used as a termite shelter.
Prevention
If you've had an infestation of termites in your home before, you may be interested in learning more about prevention of termites entering your home. These tiny insects love warm, moist environments, and many of them may enter your home through a window screen or a gap in the roof. To prevent termites from entering your home, start by addressing leaks around your home's foundation. Water damage and rotting wood are prime areas for termites to enter your home. If you're concerned, schedule an inspection of your roof with a professional termite inspector. This can identify hidden entry points and early signs of infestation.
Treatment
If you suspect that termites have entered your home, you'll need to make some adjustments. First, you should make sure that any wooden parts of your home are at least six inches off the ground. Termites can enter your home through gaps as small as 1/32 inch. Common entry points include foundation settlement cracks, floating slabs, plumbing and utility penetrations through the foundation slab, and wood-based exterior materials. In some cases, you can even invite termites by storing firewood near the foundation. Termite treatments should be performed by a local pest control company near me.
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