Few pests are more dangerous to the long-term safety and value of your home than termites. Often referred to as the “silent destroyers” of the pest world, these insects are very hard to spot, and once you do, it’s often too late. The damage they cause can undermine the structure of your home and cost you significant amounts of money to repair. That’s why it’s important that you know how to recognize the signs that you might have termites in your house, what causes termites to invade, how to mitigate the threats they pose, and finally, how to deal with them if they do manage to get inside. For the most reliable and effective pest control in Owasso, contact Montgomery Exterminating. We’ll help you deal with your termite problems once and for all.
How To Identify Signs Of Termites
What are some of the common signs of termites in your house? One of the most obvious is damaged wood, which will appear eaten away, either along the grain or against it, depending on the type of termite infesting it. However, you may not always be able to see the damage from the outside. Peeling paint or wood that feels soft can clue you into the presence of termites in the wood beneath. Damaged wood will often have a hollow sound when you tap on it. Some termites need moisture to survive; these species will use mud tubes to travel. Finding these mud tubes on the side of your house is a strong indicator that you may have an infestation. During the summer, termites often swarm. Termite swarmers leave behind their wings when they find a mate, so seeing these discarded wings around windows and doorframes can warn you of the presence of termites in your house. Now that you’ve learned about termite identification, we will examine how a termite infestation begins.
How A Termite Infestation Starts
Termites in Owasso are mainly attracted to areas that will provide shelter for their colony and a reliable food source. For this reason, certain areas of houses, such as basements, crawl spaces, attics, and certain other areas, make prime breeding grounds for them. Before there were any signs of termites inside your house, these pests likely made their way in while searching for moisture, dry areas, food, or space for a new colony, depending on the termite species. Summer is when termites usually swarm, so you should watch for them during this time of the year. Once termites are inside your house, there is very little you can do to stop them, and getting rid of them is most often impossible without the help of a professional pest control service. Termites cause billions of dollars in damages across the United States every single year. Unfortunately, homeowners’ insurance won’t typically cover termite damage.
Factors That Attract Termites To Homes And How To Remove Them
Now that we’ve seen the kind of damage that termites can cause let’s look at what you can do to prevent termites from getting into your house in the first place. As stated above, termites are attracted to areas that provide food and shelter for the colony. The best steps to prevent a termite infestation in your Owasso home are the ones that mitigate termite access and attractants.
Here are a few of these steps:
- Seal any cracks or gaps in the exterior of your home.
- Fix any leaky water pipes or faucets.
- Store firewood and lumber away from the house and off the ground
- Install screens on outside vents.
- Trim or remove vegetation near your home.
- Keep an eye on any wooden structure, like decks or fences, that are in contact with the ground.
Despite all of your best precautions, you may come face to face with a termite problem. If you do, don’t worry. You can still do things to reclaim your home and minimize the damage.
The Pros To Know For Total Termite Control In Owasso
If you need the services of professional termite specialists for your Owasso property, our team at Montgomery Exterminating is here. We’ve been in the pest control business for over 25 years, and our technicians have more than 40 years of cumulative experience in the field. Our family-owned company is on the cutting edge of termite control solutions in Owasso. We are committed to providing you with excellent customer service and superior results you can count on.
Contact Montgomery Exterminating today to get started and to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Owasso.
