Termites: How To Identify A Problem And Ways To Get Rid Of Them

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Termites are a homeowner's worst nightmare. These silent home-wreckers can destroy the wood around your home and cause you not just a big headache, but a big repair bill as well. Since these wood-devouring bugs can go unnoticed for quite some time, you should know what to look for to know if you have termites, as well as how to get rid of them. See below for tips to identify and get rid of these pests

Inspection Tips

You may not spot termites at first glance, you may have to look a little harder.

• Knock on the wood around your home. If it sounds hollow, it could actually be hollow from termites eating it from the inside. Knock on door and window frames, as well as decking and porch columns.
• Dig a small trench along your deck or porch and see if you find any mud tunnels. Termites will dig tunnels and use it to travel to and from their food source to their colony. 
• Look for holes in the wood. These holes may be quite small, but you may notice quite a few. If you spot holes, knock on the wood to check for hollowed areas.
• Spider webs may hold the wings of these termites, so look around for these wings. It could also indicate an infestation.
• Musty smells could also indicate an infestation, although this is usually if you have a bad infestation, not a mild one.
• Sawdust around the wooded areas of your home can also indicate a problem. Check the wood where you have spotted sawdust and tap on it to check for hollow sounds

Getting Rid Of Termites

Once you have spotted an infestation, it's time to take action. You can call a pest control specialist for help, which is the best way to get rid of these bugs. Termites aren't the type of bugs to just leave alone and hope they go away on their own. Hiring a professional company ensures these pests will be gone for good as they have the right tools and pesticides to get rid of them.

If you want to try getting rid of them on your own, try to use cardboard in the area where you have spotted these bugs. Place stacked cardboard in the area and once you have termites inside, burn the entire piece of cardboard. Also, if you have mulch around your home, get rid of it and use rubber mulch instead. The wood mulch may be like a buffet for termites, so get rid of it. Use a pesticide around your home as well and spray to help kill these bugs.

If you have a big problem with termites, call a professional termite treatments company right away to get rid of these bugs before they devour your home.

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20 December 2017