How To Tell If Your West Chester Property Has A Termite Problem
February 7, 2021
Most people have a favorite food. For some, theirs is something that is easy to find but hard to hold onto. The second it gets into the fridge or pantry, someone else wants it. If you live alone, this problem does not apply to you. A problem that does apply is termites trying to eat your home. Whether you share your home with others or have it all to yourself, termites might look for a way to steal their favorite food, wood. The question is, how can you tell if these pests are around? Here is how to identify termites in your West Chester home and what you need to know to get them out.
Which Termites Live Around West Chester?
The further north you go, the fewer species of termites there are trying to chew their way into homes. Unfortunately, the one species we have in our area is the subterranean termite, the most destructive termite in America. In the United States alone, these pests cost homeowners five billion dollars each year. How do they do this? By invading homes silently, chewing away at wood slowly, and staying under the radar for months and sometimes years. The only way to ensure your home isn’t severely damaged by these pests is to know how to spot them early and employ prevention tips to keep them away.
Identifying Termites
Subterranean termites do not crawl around in living areas but rather tunnel galley ways inside structural wood. This makes identifying these pests rather difficult. The best way to know these invasive wood chewers are around is to know the signs they leave behind. Here are a few clues to look for around your home to know these pests are around.
- Pencil-sized mud tubes running up your home’s exterior foundation
- Tight-fitting doors and windows
- Overly squeaky floorboards
- Water-damaged structural wood
- Sagging/water-damaged drywall
- Bubbling and/or peeling wallpaper/paint
- Tiny pin-sized holes running in and out of structural wood
What Makes Homes Attractive To Termites?
There are many things that draw termites onto properties. Subterranean termites, in particular, are attracted to wood that is softened by water damage, rot, or decay. If your home’s gutter system is not working properly, rainwater regularly builds up around its exterior, or other sources of moisture are negatively affecting your home’s wood, you will be more likely to have trouble with termites.
Often termites are drawn to properties before invading homes. Some things that might encourage these pests to come into your yard include wet cardboard, uncovered firewood, wood-based mulch, newspaper, dead stumps/trees, and other wood-based debris.
Six Tips To Make Your Home Less Attractive To Termites
- Address moisture issues in and around your home.
- Reduce or remove wood-based clutter such as firewood, cardboard, and newspapers around your yard.
- Seal gaps and cracks in your home’s exterior foundation.
- Make sure there is a non-wood barrier between your home’s wood and exterior soil.
- Avoid using wood-based mulch around your home’s exterior.
- Repair or replace wood around your home that is water damaged, rotting, or in decay.
One Guaranteed Solution To Termite Problems
If you suspect your home has a termite problem, do not hesitate to get a professional involved. The longer these pests are allowed to cause damage, the more money you will pay out of pocket to have the damage repaired. (Few homeowners' insurance policies cover termite damage.) For the best termite control that West Chester has to offer, trust the experts at Masters Touch Pest Solutions. We will implement guaranteed solutions around your property and make sure current and future termites stay away. Call us today to get a quote and find a time to have your home thoroughly inspected for pest problems.
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