Unfortunately, it means nothing that you don’t see any pests around your Greensboro home or business. Many insects and creatures can sneak by, all it requires is them being tiny, flexible, and able to reach spots you can’t easily touch. If it’s a creepy crawler that procreates with speed, then you’ll have a major problem on your hands. You may not understand the extent of the impact until it’s too late. This is the issue with termites.
Termites are wood-wrecking bugs that have the potential to take your property from you. Each year, Americans are out $5 billion dollars because of them. It isn’t often that insurance companies will lend a hand either. Find out more about the dangers of these insects and how you can stop them with Go-Forth Home Services.
How Do Termites Function? What Are the Risks?
Workers, soldiers, and swarmers are what make up termite colonies. Workers are the most ruinous, as their title suggests. Their tiny 0.12 of an inch long frame is not an indication of how harmful the white or grayish white bugs can be. Soldiers also have a revealing name; they guard nests with their fat jaws. They have rectangular heads and yellow brown skin. Swarmers are much larger than the other two groups. Their black, brown, or yellow bodies are ½ of an inch long. Also, they’re the only termites to be seen, as they fly from colonies to launch new ones in the spring. Reproduction is their sole job. No matter the species or specific duties, termites generally can survive for a couple of years. The queens, however, can live for ten of them.
Again, termites typically stay out of view. Workers and soldiers forage under soil, behind walls, and around anything damp. Swarmers will be buzzing about, often by lamps and windows. They’re attracted to light. These winged creatures are certainly a sign of infestation. Further hints are:
- Discovering the scaly and translucent wings of swarmers
- Coming across loads of fecal frass that’s near mud tubes, maze patterns, and holes
- Having hollow sounding walls
- Hearing clicking and rustling noises behind walls
- Noticing changes in paint, like peeling and bubbling
- Observing drywall slumping and being off-color
- Unfastened tiles
- Deteriorating floorboards
- Tight-fitting window frames and doors
The first hazard with termites is that bases and walls will become woefully feeble. They could crash on top of something, or even worse, a person. A relative, patron, or staff member getting injured or killed isn’t worth putting off remediation for these bugs. An associated risk is having to relocate from your home, or ceasing business operations. The second factor is allergic reactions, which can definitely happen. Termites aren’t carriers for disease, though.
How Can You Prevent Termites?
To build your defense against termites for your home or business, you can institute these changes:
- Discard or refurbish damaged or decaying wood
- Repair moisture dysfunctions and leaks, begin with those wetting wood
- Seal crevices in caulk, utility lines, and foundations Add screens to vents that face the outside
- Flush out vents and gutters regularly
- Distance wood piles and plants from the property
- Make sure loose wood, like carpentry panels, don’t touch soil
- Groom grass and greenery on a routine basis
What Can Go-Forth Home Services Do About Termites?
We at Go-Forth Home Services have the expertise and resources to exterminate termites with precision. Since 1959, we’ve utilized the top products and treatments aimed at crushing colonies and protecting properties against future attacks. Our technicians are trained in these matters and are accredited to give relevant inspections for Wood Destroying Insect Reports (WDIR). Call us today at Go-Forth Home Services and get started with a free quote!