If you were to cut a piece of wood in half with a saw, would you hear it? If you were to burn a log of wood on the fire, would you smell it? If you were to pour a can of acid on a wood floor, would you see it? The answer to all of these questions is yes. Most things that destroy wood are noticeable in one way or another. One of the only exceptions to this rule is termites. These invasive wood-damaging pests are incredibly skilled at avoiding human perception. To make sure they are not catching you off guard on your Denton property, here are some things you should know, including how to identify termites and what methods work best to keep them away.
Why Termites Invade Properties
Termites only need two things to survive, a steady source of cellulose and protection from negative conditions outdoors. If you didn’t know, cellulose is the main component in wood and is found in various plants. Termites gather cellulose by tunneling underground to nearby sources like stick piles, decaying leaves, fallen trees, and wooden structures. As for shelter, most species of termites live underground and invade homes through tunnels. Some species that live in the Denton area infest and live inside structures of wood.
How To Identify A Termite Infestation
If termites were like ants and regularly crawled through living areas, they would not be nearly as serious of a problem inside homes. The thing that makes termites so destructive is how hard they are to identify.
To help you know if your home has an active infestation of these pests, here are some signs to keep an eye out for.
- Discolored spots of moisture damage on walls, floors, and ceilings
- Sagging and water-damaged drywall
- Bubbling or tearing paint and wallpaper
- Overly squeaky stairs and floorboards
- Hard-to-open windows and doors
- Tiny holes run in and out of structural wood
- Frass (termite droppings) stuck to walls or along baseboards
- Mud tubes running up your home’s exterior foundation
- Live termite swarmers buzzing around inside or around your home
Strategies To Deter Termites
The good news is that you do not have to live with termites on your property. Many prevention tips go a long way to keeping these pests away.
Here are a few of the best DIY tips and tricks you should be using around your Denton property:
- Remove dead stumps and fallen trees from your property.
- Clean up leaf litter, sticks, and other organic debris from your yard.
- Pick up cardboard, newspapers, and other paper-based items out of your yard.
- Repair or replace wood around your home that is water-damaged.
- Cut back trees and bushes to create a five-foot dry zone around your home’s exterior.
- Store firewood and untreated lumber in a sheltered location, up off the ground, at least 30 feet from your home’s exterior.
- Fix leaky piping and fixtures in and around your home.
- Make sure your gutters are properly channeling water away from your home’s exterior.
- Use a dehumidifier for humid areas inside your home.
The Only Reliable Answer To Termite Problems
Although DIY helps deter these pests, it is not a guaranteed option to eliminate or control termites. The only way to ensure your property is safe is to hire a professional pest control provider. At Mayco Pest & Termite Control, we offer guaranteed services for homeowners looking to protect their equity from wood-damaging termites.