If you want to save yourself both time and money, you should consider spending a few minutes learning about termites. These pests cost Columbus homeowners hundreds to thousands of dollars in repairs. An infestation is more than an inconvenience - it could ruin your home. Check out this guide to termite control and be ready to minimize the damage.
What Are Termites Like In Columbus?
Like all termites, termites in Columbus eat wood. They are somewhat similar to ants but don't have the same segmentation as ants. Typically, termites are white or light brown in color. They're small and usually don't have wings, but winged termites take to the sky to reproduce sometimes.
Most people don't know what termites look like because they're often invisible pests. They hang out behind your walls, happily chewing away at your studs and building materials. Although termites can't chew through concrete, they can do a number on your insulation and even your sheetrock.
If you look at the big picture, termites are necessary. These wood-eaters are an essential part of the environment. Unfortunately, they don't know the difference between nature and your home. Termites become a pest when they start eating at the wood in your home, shed, or garage.
Signs Of Termites
As mentioned before, you probably won't see termites at first. The most you might see are wings left behind from a swarmer. Usually, the first signs of termites are problems with your home. Your doors might seem stuck or your windows could seem too tight. As you walk across your floor, you could notice soft spots or creaking.
You might realize you have termites when you knock on the wood and hear a hollow sound. Because termites don't take a break from eating, they often leave your wood hollow. At times, you may see frass on the floor. Similar to black pepper or coffee grinds, frass is droppings pushed out of termite nests. But not all types of termites leave behind frass, so there's no guarantee you will see this.
Because the signs of termites are hard to notice, you could still miss an infestation. The best way to prevent damage is to work with a pest control professional. You can receive annual inspections and know for sure whether termites are around.
How To Handle A Termite Infestation
If it's too late and you already have termites, don't try a do-it-yourself (DIY) removal. People often try termites sprays and essential oils to get rid of termites. But don't be fooled; these methods don't work. You won't eliminate termites on your own.
For one, termites are excellent at remaining unseen. As they hang out in your walls, you probably won't know where to find them. You might treat one area of your home for termites but have many more hiding out somewhere else.
Making matters worse is the fact that termites are fast breeders. If you have just a few termites remaining in your home, they will persist and continue to take over. There is no effective and easy DIY solution for termites.
That's why the best thing you can do is call a professional. Here at 1st Response Pest Management, we have dealt with termites at every level. From prevention to elimination, we know what it takes to protect you from termites. Our team has years of experience and access to the best tools.
Don't wait to deal with termites, or you could have a massive repair bill. Call us to schedule an inspection or as soon as you suspect a termite problem. We'll come out quickly and get to work before any more damage is done.