Pest Control And Dealing With Termites: Inspecting Your Home For Infestations Before Winter Sets In

Posted on: 12 October 2021

If you have been noticing piles of dirt on the walls or mud tubes running from the ground to your house, then there is a good chance you have a termite problem. How do you know if a pile of dirt is a termite nest? One quick way to tell is to kick the dirt with your foot and see what happens. If it is scattered, drywall dust is falling out, or dead bugs are falling out, there is a chance that your home has an infestation of some sort. The following signs of infestations are some of the problems you need to look for when inspecting your home:

Sawdust Around Window and Door Frames

Termites can be found anywhere there is moisture and decomposing organic materials, which includes wood window frames. These are areas around your home where moisture can cause problems and attract termites or other pests. When inspecting your home for these signs of damage, you need to look for sawdust around the window and door frames. There might be a problem with termites or another insect type that eats the frames if you notice the dust and holes.

Mud Tunnels and Signs of Termite Nests

The biggest signs of a termite infestation are mud tunnels outside of your home. These mud tunnels might lead to areas where there are organic materials the termites are eating, which can include areas around your foundation. The termites can get into your home at the seal plate of the foundation, which is the wood where the structural framing starts. Often, there will also be other signs where the termites are getting in, such as sawdust and debris from other organic materials like drywall.

Structural Damage to Wood Fencing and Decks

Problems with termites can affect other wood installations around your home too. For example, if you have wood fencing, they might start causing damage at the fence posts and cause severe damage to fence sections. They can also attack wood decks—damaging the structure of the deck and causing hazards. Therefore, you want to look for termites around these areas, including mud tunnels in landscaping and dust from where they have started to eat the wood.

Damaged Trim and Woodwork

Termites that have entered your home might attack any woodwork where there is moisture present. This can often be in wood trim near kitchens and bathrooms. They might get into the baseboards at the floor and cause damage to wood that is exposed to moisture. They can also cause severe damage to wood cabinetry.

Don't let seasonal climates or cold weather make a nuisance of these pests—they can cause a lot of damage to your home even in the dead of winter. Contact a pest control service before the problem gets worse.

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