What Not to Do When You Find Termites in Your Home
Household pests come in many varieties, and most people have to contend with them at one point or another. Some pests are harmful, while others are nothing more than annoyances. Some pests can damage your home, making it an unsafe place to live. Of these, termites are among the most destructive you’ll find. In fact, having termites can make it impossible to sell your home if you’re in the market to do so. You also run the risk of having to make expensive repairs or even suffering injuries. If you discover or suspect termites, there are effective and ineffective ways to react to these pests. The right response will give you peace of mind and successfully chase these insects away.
What Termites Are and What They Do
Termites are insects that look similar to ants. They have white bodies and live in huge colonies. Termites enjoy moist and warm environments and are adept at hiding, which makes them difficult to spot. Termites have voracious appetites for wood, but they also eat plant matter. When eating wood, they start in the middle and go outward.
Clues That You Have Termites
You may not see a termite, but you can still know that these pests are present in your home due to many common signs. One is that you may see piles of sawdust by the baseboards or along the walls. You may even hear termites and the knocking sounds they make or find droppings they leave behind. You may see uneven or bubbling paint on the wall or even spot rotten wood. Another clue that termites are around is that you see discarded wings on the ground.
Don’t Panic
At the first sign of termite trouble, you may start to worry – a lot. While this is an alarming development, there is no need to go to extremes: You don’t have to abandon your house or start to tear it apart. Don’t do anything rash as doing so may cause additional problems. Instead, call a termite removal specialist in Orlando and get some sound, effective advice.
Don’t Ignore the Problem
On the other end of the spectrum, some homeowners may dismiss the fact that termites have invaded their home. Putting off intervention or thinking it’s not serious can lead to catastrophic issues and expensive repairs. If you spot the signs of these pests, make an action plan and take prompt steps to resolve the infestation. When you discover the presence of termites, it’s possible that these pests have already been living in your house for weeks, months, or even years. You want to avoid damage to your house, to be responsible, and act.
Don’t Try Things Without Researching Them First
If you think you can eliminate termites by yourself, you have an uphill climb. There are effective steps you can take to prevent infestations, such as sealing cracks, holes, and other openings in your home. Removing woodpiles or discarded wood from around your home will also discourage termites from getting in. But once you have this pest problem, it isn’t easy to chase the insects away without a professional touch. The worst thing you can do is try to come up with solutions without first consulting someone who has experience eliminating termites.
Don’t Be Shy About Asking for Help
Finding out you have termites can be alarming news. This isn’t an issue that will go away on its own or one that you can solve in a few hours: Chances are, you have an entire colony of these pests calling your place home. It’s best to get a professional involved. An exterminator has the skill to find where termites are hiding and how they are getting into your home. Professionals also have the right tools and equipment to eradicate these pests from your property.
Don’t Give Up
A termite infestation can cause anxiety, fear, and anger. This isn’t an easy problem to deal with, so you may feel as though you are fighting a battle that you can’t win. Don’t lose hope: This isn’t a particularly uncommon challenge homeowners face. There are ways to fend off these pests and take back your home. It is also treatable. If you do your part to make your home uninviting to termites, and if you get a professional on the case, you should be able to have a pest-free house once again.
The discovery of termites in your house is nothing to take lightly. At the first sign of trouble, call a professional to help exterminate them. You should also be proactive and stop termites from ever coming into your house. Just as important, follow these tips so you can avoid some common mistakes that other homeowners make. If you do, you can overcome this challenge and rest easy once again.