Life hacks are incredibly popular in internet culture. People love instant solutions to common problems in life. Whether it’s using potato chips as a fire starter or covering your shoes in wax to make them more waterproof, there are all kinds of tricks for making life more efficient. Unfortunately, not every problem has a quirky solution. Pests, especially termites, are a problem that can’t be solved by spraying orange oil along windowsills or doors. Fortunately, professional pest control services exist. Although getting rid of termites requires time and equipment, the best life hack is to hand over the work to professionals with more experience.
Termites
What exactly are termites? Termites are insects that feed on wood. They are especially attracted to damp and soft woods that are easier to eat. In Hattiesburg, termites in your home are probably subterranean termites. They can get inside through cracks in the exterior of your home and can cause extensive damage before you notice their presence.
Termites live in a caste system. Worker termites can’t reproduce but they gather food and help provide for the rest of the colony. Soldier termites can't reproduce but they protect the nest. Swarmer termites are the only ones that can reproduce. They grow wings in the spring and fly around looking for a place to build their own colonies. Once they choose a location, they’ll shed their wings and begin mating. They become the leaders of the new colonies.
Termites can destroy a lot of wood in a short amount of time. They’ll chew the wooden structures of a home. They can also chew on the wood in furniture, shelving, and cabinets. Because they often spend time inside your walls and in other dark areas, you may not see termites for many months or years. This means they can cause a lot of damage before you ever realize they’re in your home.
Termite Infestation
If an infestation has gotten bad enough, you’ll begin to see bowing in your walls and ceiling. You may find that your flooring is uneven or that windows and doors get stuck easily. This means that the termites have already caused damage to the structure of your home.
Before it gets to that point, you should check for discarded wings which means swarmer termites have come to your house. If you see termite wings around your doors or windowsills, call for help right away! There’s only so much you can do to protect your home from termites. Keeping the moisture levels down in your home will help. Mostly, though, you need to be vigilant. Use flashlights to check dark spaces for signs of termites, and don’t hesitate to contact the professionals if you think you have a termite infestation.
Termite Control
Prevent termites by protecting your house from water damage. Fix leaky pipes immediately and clean messes. Use dehumidifiers in especially damp areas like basements and crawl spaces. When you begin to grow suspicious that termites might have found their way inside, call Havard Pest Control. We have the tools to lure these pests away from your home. Plus, our systems provide long-lasting support so you can rest easy that termites won’t be coming in any time soon. The life hack for keeping termites out of your house is to let the experienced professionals do the hard work for you. Havard Pest Control is ready to save your Hattiesburg home from termites, year-round.