If you suspect that your home has a termite infestation, then quick remediation is necessary to avoid extensive property damage. The average home in the United States will require $3,000.00 worth of repairs for termite damage, but in many cases, the cost of fixing a structure is much more. Delaying a pest-control treatment is never a good idea when you notice that termites have invaded a property because these insects breed rapidly and consume building materials constantly. Termite colonies tend to remain hidden in areas that are difficult to see such as inside walls or wooden beams, but by the time a homeowner notices structural problems in a home, the damage can lead to a sagging roof or unsafe building foundation.

What are the Signs of a Termite Infestation?

Homes with crawl spaces are also more susceptible to a termite infestation because the insects can enter a home’s underlying surfaces quickly to begin consuming foundation materials and floorboards. Wooden decks, window frames and porches along with mulching in flower beds also attract insects to a home. An exterminator will inspect both the inside and outside of a home to find evidence of termites. Signs of termites include tiny holes where the insects have chewed through walls, dropped wings and excrement. The excrement created by termites looks like tiny pellets and are typically found near the insect’s entrances and exits.

How Termites Enter a Building

Termites are able to enter buildings by crawling or flying, but the insect’s wings drop off after arriving at a destination where there is available food and nesting space. Alternatively, a homeowner might bring home termites in firewood, wood furniture or cardboard boxes. This is a social insect that will create colonies to care for eggs, leading to a healthy group of termites. A termite queen can live as long as 50 years and produce thousands of eggs in a lifetime. Termites will consume many types of cellulose materials, including drywall, wood and paper, leading to a building foundation that is unstable and dangerous.

Where Exterminators Search for Termites

Exterminators follow certain protocols when completing a home inspection for termites to ensure that none of the insects are missed. There are two common types of termites in the New Jersey area that professional exterminators look for, including dry-wood and subterranean. Termites might begin to live on the exterior of a home in damp wood that is rotting and easy to enter. These areas are often near downspouts or overflowing rain gutters. The first termites to invade leave pheromones on surfaces that are designed to attract additional termites in order to increase the size of a colony. If a home has cracks in the foundation or holes around utility lines or pipes, then these are perfect entrances for termites.

Bergen County Termite Control: Request a Free Inspection

Inside a home, you may notice structural changes such as sagging ceilings or walls where the termites have burrowed through while consuming cellulose. By the time these structural changes are noticeable, your home already has a lot of damage, and you require a thorough house treatment to eliminate the pests along with updating any structural repairs that will need to be made. Eliminating termites is not a one-step process because there are several generations in a building, and many insects hide deep inside materials. An exterminator will trench or treat the soil outside a home, use environmentally friendly sprays and place bait traps near entrances and exits. Contact Precise Pest Control today or telephone call at 866-971-2847 for a free termite inspection.