Termite problems can turn into a homeowner’s worst nightmare, but can you avoid them on your own? The more you understand about termites in Hattiesburg, the more you can limit your chances of having an infestation with your own prevention methods. And the more you learn, the more money you can save.
Termite Damage Over Time
Termites are wood-eating pests that typically live underground. They’ll crawl in tunnels under the soil until they find a sustainable food source, which is moist, rotting wood. While they don’t eat it quickly, they can do severe damage to your home over time. When a termite infestation lasts longer than 18 months, the damage typically costs over $3,000.
Eighteen months is a long time, isn’t it? How do homeowners allow their house to literally be eaten out from under them without even having the slightest clue? Well, the scary truth is, termites are incredibly hard to see. They’ll usually work under the basement or within your walls, eating any wooden structures they can get their jaws on.
If you understand the signs, however, you may be able to notice an infestation before it costs you the big bucks. Signs of termite infestation include:
- Mud tubes on foundation walls in dark, hidden places
- Frass (wooden pellets/termite droppings) buildup along the baseboards (in the case of a drywood termites infestation)
- Tightening of doors and windows
- Soft clicking noises in the walls
- Visible damage to exposed wood
Proper Prevention Strategies
While understanding the signs can save you thousands of dollars, you can also increase your chances of avoiding an infestation in the first place. Since termites are highly attracted to moisture-damaged wood, you can limit their attraction to your home by managing moisture issues. The best ways to do this include:
- Using dehumidifiers in basements and crawlspaces
- Monitoring pipes closely for leaks
- Implementing a proper gutter and downspout system to expel rain runoff away from the side of the house
By limiting their attraction through moisture control, you can help protect your home from termite damage. However, you can also increase your protection by limiting their access to your house. Storing firewood away from the house can decrease their interest, and a buffer between their habitat in the soil and the foundation of your home (using rubber mulch, pine straw, gravel, etc.) can also decrease your odds of incurring an infestation.
Lawn maintenance is also key. Not mowing the yard consistently can lead to moisture buildup and excessively wet soil, which is an ideal habitat for termites. Plus, clutter like leaves and sticks will build up if you don’t practice proper lawn maintenance consistently. Termites love piles of sticks and leaves.
Now, all of these methods can be effective in decreasing your odds of infestation, but that’s all they do. Nothing that you do on your own can provide a guaranteed solution to prevent a termite infestation. Plus, nothing can get rid of termites for sure, aside from professional pest control solutions.
Don’t risk the investment you’ve made in your house by relying on your own methods of termite prevention. If you notice the signs of termites, reach out to a professional pest control service before the damage becomes costly. If you’re fortunate enough to not have a termite infestation yet, then you’re going to want to get out in front of the severe risks with guaranteed preventative measures.
With thousands of dollars on the line, it really doesn’t seem like much of a decision. The best termite prevention control comes with professional assistance from Havard Pest Control. Give us a call today for termite solutions you can count on.