Are you starting to notice signs of termites around your Austin home? If so, you better act quickly. If you ignore termites, your home could be at risk. Termites are a pest that's after your most significant asset - your home. So avoiding termite damage should be your #1 priority. Don't rely on just any termite control to get the job done. Instead, call a professional that knows how to get rid of termites for good.
Roberts Termite & Pest Control know how to get your termite situation under control from termite eggs to full-grown adults. First, let's talk about what a termite infestation might look like.
What Does A Termite Infestation Look Like?
You're suspicious that your home might be turning into termite food, you need to look for some of the classic signs of termites around your home. If you're starting to see swarms around your Austin home, that's a clear indicator that you've got a termite problem. Inspect your window sills for termite droppings or discarded wings; that's a clue that a termite swarm has just been at that location.
Avoiding termite damage is vital to the survival of your place. Here are some signs you're dealing with a termite problem:
- Drywall damage: If you notice weak or flaking drywall around your house, it's a clear indicator that termites are going to town on your place!
- Peeling paint: This is another sign that termites are running rampant in your walls.
- Hollow-sounding wood: Knock on wood, particularly support beams. If it sounds hollow, you may have a termite problem.
- Moisture issues: buckling floorboards, loose tiles, and sticky windows or doors could be a sign of excess moisture in your home caused by termites.
If you see a cluster of termite eggs or happen to witness a termite swarm, you know you have a severe termite problem on or near your problem. At this point, it's imperative that you reach out to a termite professional.
Why Is It So Hard To Get Rid Of Termites On Your Property?
So how do you get rid of termites, and why is it so hard to do it yourself? Its true termite control is a big issue, and it's not something you can learn on YouTube. (Sorry) Sometimes, termite problems can go undetected for months. So when you start seeing signs of termites, you need to tackle it ASAP because you don't know how much damage they've done to your home already. Attempting your DIY termite treatment could leave you with more damage to your home and a bigger headache. For instance, if you try to remove some damaged wood--you might pull down a load-bearing wall which would only increase the damage to your home.
Not only are termites hard to spot, but they purposely hide. Many of them are blind and need moisture to survive—so they thrive in tunnels and colonies in your walls or other famous hiding spaces. Furthermore, termites have huge colonies. The queen can lay several thousand eggs a day, and if she's eliminated, that doesn't mean the colony dies.
Like a bad horror movie creature feature, the termite has a trick up its sleeve. Unlike bees or ants, The king and queen termites have a chemical that keeps the soldiers and workers from growing and reproducing. When the queen dies, her chemicals don't hold the workers back, and one of them grows into a fully reproductive queen that takes her place and continues to lay several thousand eggs a day
What Attracts Termites To Homes?
It's true, every termite loves wood–but certain termites are particular about living in certain environments. Dampwood and drywood termites seek out moist or dry wood, obviously. Subterranean termites need moist soil and infest wood that is in contact with the ground. Termites are attracted to the wood inside your home, but they're also drawn inside your home by moisture, wood that's in contact with your home's foundation, and the cracks in foundation exteriors.
Things like leaky pipes, improper drainage, and poor airflow attract termites looking for a warm wet place to munch. Subterranean termites need wood or soil to move into your home, so having things like mulch, overgrown shrubs, and firewood placed too close to your home gives termites easy access to your house.
Ways To Prevent Future Termite Infestations In Austin
If you're worried about termites infesting your Austin home, you need to contact the Roberts Termite & Pest Control. We know how to get rid of your termite infestation. We can treat your home with an underground chemical treatment that will deter subterranean termites from even thinking about entering your house.
Once your termite infestation is eradicated, you can have us come back to treat your home every year to keep them away. Having a professional lay a chemical barrier between your home and the termites underground will give you the protection you need. So give us a call today to learn more about our termite control options.