Commercial and Residential Pest Control Services | Dodson Bros. Exterminating Co., Inc.
Termites may be tiny insects, but they can create enormous problems for homeowners. Referred to as “silent destroyers,” termites are wood-destroying pests that can rapidly damage the structural integrity of a home.
It’s important to understand what termites eat and what attracts them to a home to protect your property from them. Read on to learn about the diet of termites, signs of infestation, and what to do when you discover termites in your home.
Termites eat wood and survive off the cellulose they find in their meals. Cellulose is a component found in plant cell walls. Termites can also eat other materials containing cellulose, such as paper, cardboard, and fabrics, but wood is their preferred food source.
While termites are associated with destruction to most humans, they are essential decomposers in nature. Termites help break down dead wood in forests and balance our earth’s ecosystems. However, termites quickly become a problem when they infest homes and structures made of wood.
Termites are not always easy to detect but spotting them before they do too much damage is critical to protecting your home. The following are just a few signs that you might have a termite infestation:
If you tap on your floors or walls, and it sounds hollow, termites may have eaten away at the inside of the wood.
If you notice small, narrow mud tubes hanging from your ceiling or walls, it might be the pathway of termites.
If you notice a tiny, winged insect around your home, it could be a swarmer. Similarly, you might find discarded wings, as termites shed their wings when they swarm.
If you notice what looks like horizontal or vertical lines of missing wooden material at baseboards or door frames, you may have termites. This damage is commonly referred to as shelving.
A sagging porch, a collapsing floor, and cracked paint can all be signs of termites at work.
It is important to remember that these signs could indicate another issue, such as water damage or an alternative pest. Only a professional pest control specialist can help you determine whether or not termites are the problem.
If you think you have termites, the best thing to do is act right away. The longer you leave a termite infestation unchecked, the more damage it will create.
