When Is It Too Late to Treat a Termite Infestation?

When You See Termites, Is It Too Late?

In nature, termites play an important role in the ecosystem by cleaning up decaying plant matter and enriching the soil. They are uniquely suited to this task because they are capable of digesting cellulose, the main component in plants’ cell walls. Helpful behavior in a forest, it isn’t in a home, where the cellulose they seek is in wood, cardboard, drywall, and other elements that make up the structure of a house. Homeowners who don’t know how to look for termites can end up with extensive damage requiring expensive repairs, and it’s been said that by the time you see termites, it’s too late. Is that really true? While it is true that early detection is a key part of an effective termite treatment strategy, later detection is not necessarily too late, if you have a termite expert perform an inspection, assess your property, and discuss your next steps.

Early Signs of Termite Infestation You Shouldn’t Ignore

Termites work quickly, with the average termite colony going through about 10 pounds of wood each month. Subterranean termites live underground, so homeowners are often oblivious to a rapidly growing colony on their property. Fortunately, if you know what you’re looking for, signs of termites are easy to spot.

• Mud Tubes on Exterior Walls: One common sign of a termite infestation is mud tubes on the outside of your house. Termites are delicate creatures, and they must stay in a dark, moist environment to survive. They build these mud tunnels so that they can safely make their way into your home.
• Little Holes in Wood: Have you seen little holes in the wood elements of your house? It’s easy to miss them, as they look like nail holes that haven’t been patched. They could mean termites, so they warrant further inspection.
• Termite Droppings: What do termite droppings look like? After a lifetime spent chewing wood, termites leave droppings that look like sawdust.
• Wings on Your Window Sills: Only certain termites can reproduce, and during swarming season, reproductive termites swarm to find mates and set up new colonies. Once they’ve found a place to settle, they will drop their wings around the house, near doors and on window sills. If you see wings, call in a professional; lost wings could mean a new colony is beginning on your property, or they could mean there’s already an established colony nearby.

How Can You Tell If Your House Has Termites?

If you miss these signs, you might not catch up until termites begin causing damage that is less subtle. Your doors and windows may become difficult to open or close, and you might notice wood that looks blistered or dark. Termites can cause damage to the inside of wood in your house, and you may think the wood is solid, until pieces of it suddenly break or crumble. If you suspect there may be termites in your house, tap on the wood elements of your home, using a hammer or a screwdriver; termite-infested wood will sound hollow.

Early Signs of Termite Damage vs. Advanced Infestation

Catching a termite infestation early is the best way to eradicate it. Simple signs like mud tubes and tiny holes will eventually give way to sagging floors, crumbling walls, and a house that is structurally unsound. At the heart of each termite colony is a queen, who can live up to 25 years and lay thousands of eggs per day. This creates rapid growth that can quickly become a problem for your home! Before the infestation becomes advanced, call for expert help, to make sure the termites are cleared from the house, and don’t return.

When is it Too Late to Treat Termites?

No matter how advanced your termite damage may be, don’t give up on it until you’ve had a termite inspector out to assess the infestation. It may be possible to eliminate the termites and repair the house, and it’s really never too late until your home is beyond repair. On the other hand, it’s never too early, either. Even if you have never seen any signs of termites in your house, it’s wise to have a preemptive inspection, so that a termite control expert can keep termites from establishing a colony on your property.

Termites—How to Get Rid of Them Safely and Effectively

DIY termite treatment is rarely as effective as professional treatment, but homeowners can help prevent an infestation by adjusting their habits. Keeping things clean, keeping mulch and branches away from siding, discarding cardboard, and fixing leaks as soon as possible can go a long way. So can minimizing wood to soil contact and sealing any cracks immediately. Removing sources of food and water and sealing the possible entry points makes a home far less termite friendly. Special attention should be paid to vulnerable areas like attics, crawl spaces, basements, wooden decks, and porches. However, the most important thing to do is to call for professional termite treatment. Termite professionals can customize plans for each property, using methods like barrier treatment and direct treatments.

What to Do If You Suspect Termites Today

At the first sign of termites, call for professional termite control. Even if you don’t suspect termites, if your home hasn’t had a termite inspection for a few years, it’s probably time to schedule it now. A professional termite inspector will give you a full report on your entire home, and explain the best ways to treat the infestation.

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late! Contact MightyMite Termite Services for a Free Inspection

To prevent termite damage in the Bay Area, call the termite control professionals at MightyMite Termite Services for a free inspection. At MightyMite, we’ve earned a reputation as experts in California termite control. We perform termite inspections to ensure that your home is free of termites, and we work hard to help you keep it that way, using treatments that are naturally derived and environmentally low-impact. We use the most effective methods and unmatched warranties, solving your termite problems the first time, with an industry best “no call-back rate.” That, combined with our experience, technology, and highly trained professional staff, makes us the leading extermination company in the Bay Area. We work hard to provide excellent service, utilizing best practices to solve our customers’ problems. To schedule an inspection or learn more about our services, contact us through our website.