Our warm weather is steadily increasing. The upcoming 10 day forecast shows temps that are consistently in the 50’s and even moving into the 60’s next week. Last week I was preaching about the appearance of The Occasional Invader. As the weather warms up we will need to protect our homes from these nuisance pests. But the upcoming warmer temperatures will also bring out some pests that are more than just a nuisance. These guys can mean big trouble for a homeowner. I’m talking about Termites. Do you know what to look for in a termite infestation? Can you tell the difference between termites and ants? Below I will go over the signs of a termite infestation and also how to tell the difference between a termite and an ant.
TOP 4 SIGNS YOU MAY HAVE A TERMITE PROBLEM
- Wild Wings – In the Spring swarmer termites (the ones that fly) go out to mate and look for a place to start a new colony. If you see these flying pests or their discarded wings around your doors or windows, that’s a sign that termites may be checking out your home.
- Mud Tubes – Termites build mud tubes to provide moisture while traveling between their food source and the colony home. These tubes will most likely be seen near the homes foundation.
- Wood Check – Wood damage is a major giveaway that there are termites in your home. Unfortunately termites eat from the inside out, so you will need to look for soft wood that sounds hollow when tapped.
- Paint Problems – Cracked and bubbling paint can signify moisture build up. If that’s the case there are one of two problems, water damage – or termites.
OK, so you’ve checked your home and believe you see a couple of the above mentioned signs. Now what? First thing first, have a licensed professional do an inspection. Rapid Pest Solutions will provide an inspection for free. If it is determined that you do indeed have termites a treatment plan will be explained.
TERMITES VERSUS ANTS
Termites and ants can look very similar, especially the swarmers. However, there are a few easy ways to tell them apart. This diagram will give you the basics on termites and ants.
Rapid Pest Solutions has experience dealing with termite infestations. This video was taken by one of our technicians during an inspection. You can check out more videos like this one on our YouTube Channel.
