Termites are aggravating and minuscule, and destroy wooden frameworks on a large scale. Annually, property owners spend around two billion dollars to save their crumbling timber structures. If you think that termites demolish the wood in seconds, like in cartoons, you are quite mistaken. These itty bitty yet highly destructive creatures gradually eat your wood and weaken it.
Confront these irksome creatures with professional pest control Perth services. Delaying this matter and treating it as something insignificant can cause substantial damage to timber frames, such as floorboards, walls, and other wooden fittings. This blog will tell you everything about handling the risk of termites. Keep reading to get a comprehensive understanding.
Termites: An Overview
Introduction: Scientifically known as Isoptera, termites are notorious for chewing on the timber fittings of houses. These pests are considered highly dangerous and insurance companies often don’t cover such damages. When termites infest a place, they build a nest and intricate tunnels around it to easily reach the food source, which is cellulose. As cellulose is present massively in the wood, these pesky creatures gobble it up while weakening the timber frames.
Issues related to Humans: Apart from devouring and harming the wooden structures, these pests can also be bad for human health. There might be some allergic reactions in people with sensitive skin. Furthermore, the crumbling wood contributes to the dust in the air, causing respiratory complications in people like asthma. Sometimes termites are the carriers of fungi, contributing to fungal infections. Even when people do not encounter the above problems, the stress of wood destruction can be detrimental to overall well-being.
Types: The common species of termites are:
Subterranean termites: This species is by far the most destructive one out of all the other types. They build mud tubes to smoothly access unique food dumps and shield themselves from open air.
Formosan termites: These termites are the most aggressive out of all two thousand species known to science. They are difficult to circumvent once they start infestation inside a wooden structure.
Dampwood termites: These pests infest the timber frames that are high in moisture content. The size of this species is larger than the others.
Drywood termites: This kind only infests dry wood and does not need any contact with the ground. Even if they do not require high moisture, they can still thrive in woods near a water source.
Conehead termites: These creatures do not build underground tunnels to travel. They forage on the ground and spread quickly like ants. They are also aggressive and cause extreme property damage.
See also: Essential for Home Maintenance
Effective Termite Risk Management Tips
Prevent Moisture Build Up
Promptly fix any leaking pipes and faucets. Ensure that there is a proper ventilation system in crawl spaces and attics. Divert water away from the foundation by checking gutters and keeping them clean.
Reduce Wood to Ground Contact
Keep a significant gap between timber structures and soil. This ensures that termites do not find access inside the expensive wooden frames. Moreover, you can also use metal or concrete barriers under timber posts.
Remove Termite Attractions
Start with storing firewood or any wooden debris out of your house. Make sure to trim the branches of trees and shrubs to avoid contact with the residence. If there is decaying wood, replace it promptly.
Regular Inspections
Inspect the wooden structures in your home frequently. Monitor the crucial signs that can track a termite infestation. Most importantly, hire certified termite exterminators for regular and thorough annual inspections.
Termite Treatments
Use termiticides and soil treatments during the construction of the house. You can use baits to monitor and control termite activity. Also, use wood treatments for existing timber frameworks.
Common Indicators of a Termite Infestation
Mud Tubes
One of the recurrent signs is mud tubes. These cellulose feeders need tunnels to forage for food. Therefore, you find narrow tubes where your house and the ground meet or any other place where wood is present.
Hollow Wood
These creatures eat up your walls and floorboards from the inside and hollow them out. If you are suspicious about the termite issue, knock on the timber wall. If an empty sound emerges, know that these pests have eaten the cellulose.
Discarded Wings
You can find discarded wings on access points to the house. Termites throw away wings as they do not need them anymore. Finding piles of these wings does not mean these pests are dead. They are busy destroying your wooden structures.
Frass (Droppings)
Termites create kick out holes inside their tunnels to dispose of their droppings and keep their galleries clean. They land on floors in the form of heaps of pellets. If you find mounds of pellets like dust or coffee grounds, it indicates termite infestation.
Conclusion
This blog post mentioned all the crucial aspects of termites and their effective risk management. If you are doubtful that your house is under attack by these devious and destructive pests, look for the signs that are mentioned in this blog. Additionally, take the necessary precautions to cease any ongoing termite infestation to avoid spending thousands of dollars on the repair of wooden structures.
