Termites are a huge issue here in Columbus, and if you don't keep a weather eye out for the signs of a termite problem, they might just leave you out in the cold. This is because termites can go unnoticed for quite some time, even though they are causing massive damage. That means Columbus pest control enthusiasts always need to be on the lookout for termites, even in the winter months.
Easy-To-Spot Signs Of Termites
Termites are one of those pests that can hang out in your house under your very nose for months and even years before you notice them. This is because termites eat the wood they infest, which means they don't have to forage for food. Instead, they can stay in their nest or the wood they’re feeding on virtually 100% of the time unless they are breeding.
To counter these issues, you need to be vigilant in looking for the subtle signs of termites in your home. Signs that you have an emergent or even a developing termite problem include:
- Wood that looks water-damaged even though it's not wet
- Windows and doors that don't fit in their frames
- Bucked or loose floorboards
- Piles of termite sawdust or shed wings
- Termite swarms
If you see a termite swarm or signs that one has occurred, it is a good bet that you have termites on your property. This is because termite reproductive adults do not travel far before pairing off and mating, so the nest they came from is likely somewhere nearby.
If you don't reach out for professional termite control when you see the more subtle signs of termite infestation, you could soon be seeing signs like sagging ceilings, warped walls, and collapsing floors. These are visible signs of massive damage that can cost thousands of dollars to repair.
Factors That Attract Termites To Your Home
Termites don't invade all homes equally. There are certain factors that attract termites to your property. Moisture is a big one. While there are drywood termite species that do not need moisture to invade your home, most termites are of the subterranean variety and therefore require contact with moist soil or other sources of moisture in order to maintain their nests. If you have leaky pipes, clogged drainage, condensation problems, or any other moisture source that termites could use, this means your home is at higher risk of a termite infestation.
In the same vein, rotten wood and wood of your home that touches the ground are also attractants. Termites can use things like rotten decking or aging exterior support columns to enter your home, so it's vital to take care of these issues.
Why Do-It-Yourself Termite Control Fails
DIY termite removal typically fails because termite colonies are huge, complex, and often span multiple locations inside your house. This means store-bought termite treatments like baits and sprays don't usually reach the entire infestation. Instead, they typically reduce the termite load in your home temporarily without eliminating all the colonies. This gives termites the ability to come back with a vengeance. The reality is termites are just one of those pests you can't get rid of on your own. You need help from the professionals!
How To Get Rid Of Termites In Your Home For Good!
There's only one way to completely and permanently eliminate an entire termite infestation from your home. Call the team at 1st Response Pest Management for termite control in Columbus! We're always on top of the latest and greatest termite management techniques and technologies to ensure that these destructive little devils never get the better of us.
Don't wait until your home has incurred thousands of dollars worth of termite damage. To learn more about our Columbus pest control options or to request your service, click or call today!