Four Signs Of Termites To Watch Out For Around Your Memphis Property

11/13/2020

You may not see an insect or creature around your Memphis property, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t there. They could be too small to spot, most active at night, or festering in a deep crevice somewhere. Many pests are known for being “silent threats.” They are the kinds that quietly or slowly invade, and you don’t realize the extent of their wreckage until later. For this reason, home and business owners need to be vigilant and be proactive about pest control.

Termites are very destructive, and they’re hard to detect right away. United States citizens spend a total of $5 billion each year trying to block or recover from these bugs. Since it’s considered an avoidable circumstance, the everyday insurance company won’t foot the bill for it. If you know the signs of the main infestation, you could stay ahead of termites with Dart Pest, Lawn & Wildlife.

Termite Sign #1: Wings And Waste

In a standard termite colony, you have workers, soldiers, and swarmers. As you might guess, white or grayish-white workers create the most damage. They are about 0.12 of an inch long. There isn’t much difference in size between them and the yellow-brown soldiers, who have rectangular heads and defined jaws. You probably won’t see these two, because they often remain tucked behind walls. The winged swarmers will be visible though, as they fly from nests to build new ones and mate in the springtime. The insects are brown, black, or yellow, and ½ of an inch long. Foundational cracks and holes are where they’ll exit from; they’ll then flutter near lights. They routinely drop their scaly wings. Every termite emits peppery frass or fecal matter.

Termite Sign #2: Changing Paint And Walls

While the work of termites wears on, there will be perceptible changes with your paint and walls. The paint will start to bloat, strip, and look ruined by water. The drywall will become discolored and seem saggy. A close inspection of the walls overall will reveal several tiny holes, maze patterns, and mud tubes. If you tap or knock on a foundation, it will likely sound hollow. Termite prevention tips in regard to wood are:

• Restore or replace impaired, decaying, or water damaged wood
  
• Sit loose carpentry lumber, logs, and firewood two feet or more from the property 
  
• Avoid letting free wood come in contact with soil

Termite Sign #3: Faulty Fixtures

You may observe that your doors and windows are tight-fitting and become difficult to operate. You may also notice swollen floors or wood that may be buckling and have areas that may appear to be suffering from slight water damage. Some related prevention suggestions are:

• Vents and gutters need to be cleaned often
• Exterior vents should have screens attached
• Resolve anything making wood wet, like a plumbing leak
• Close up gaps near foundations and utility lines

Termite Sign #4: Audible Noises

As termites move about, they make soft rustling or “clicking” noises.

Dart Pest, Lawn & Wildlife Termite Extermination

If you’re thinking of using a retail item or an “at home” trick to eradicate termites, put that notion away. It won’t be an efficient use of your money and time. Typical shelf products have minimal or temporary effectiveness. To get to the center of an infestation, you’ll need to reach out to the professionals at Dart Pest, Lawn & Wildlife.

Our trained technicians have powerful solutions designed to kill termites and bar prospective ones. Don’t worry, all of our tools are 100% safe for vegetation, pets, and humans. Options include soil, liquid, and baiting treatments. Pre-construction and wood-destroying organism reports are also available. In any event, we’ll continue to check in on you and monitor the situation. Call Dart Pest, Lawn & Wildlife today for a free inspection!

Tags: termites | termite control | home pest control