They may be small, but termites can cause serious damage to your home. If you suspect you have termites in your home, seek help from a professional pest control company promptly. Ignoring the warning signs of a termite infestation can result in serious damage.

Why are termites harmful to your home?

Termites primarily feed on wood, but they will also consume other materials like particleboard, drywall, or cardboard. Unfortunately, these materials are found in practically every home. Because of this, you shouldn’t dismiss the risk of a termite infestation, even if you are extremely cautious and take precautionary measures. As long as the food source exists, your home is potentially at risk for termite damage.

What kind of damage do termites inflict?

Termite damage comes in the form of ruined plaster, drywall, joints, and even the very structure of your home. Termites are responsible for approximately $5 billion dollars in property damage each year, so it is important to know the warning signs and take preventive action so as to reduce your home’s risk of termite damage.

How can I identify termite damage?

There are several indicators of termite activity in your home. If you notice even one of the following, it’s wise to contact a pest control professional immediately. The sooner you address termite activity, the lower the chance of damage to your home. Here are signs of termites to be aware of:

• Bubbling in floorboards
• Hollow or damaged wood including walls, floorboards, and wooden structures
• Abandoned termite wings (usually found near windows or doors)
• Thin mud tunnels found in or outside your home
• Termite droppings found near their tunneling

What can I do to prevent termite damage?

While there’s no way to make your home completely impervious to termites, you can take measures to reduce your home’s susceptibility to termite infestation and subsequent damage:

• Reduce sources of moisture throughout your yard and home
• Repair cracks in siding and foundation
• Properly maintain your gutter system
• Routinely inspect the interior and exterior of your home for signs of termites
• Store firewood in a safe, secure place away from your home
• Trim shrubs, trees, and brushes to prevent them from touching your house
• Remove all rotting wood (trees, sheds, etc.) from your property

On top of these preventive actions, be sure to enlist the help of a professional pest control company if you suspect your home is suffering termite damage.

If you need professional pest control services in the greater Des Moines area, contact Springer Professional Home Services. Our team of pest control professionals can help you address your situation, treat the problem, and take preventive measures to reduce your risk of further infestation. Contact us to set up your free inspection!

They’re responsible for $5 billion in property damage each year, and chances are, they’d love to add your home to their menu. Termites make their homes in 49 of the 50 states and can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage to yours. The best way to protect yourself from termites and their monstrous appetites are to implement preventive practices and engage in early detection.

Signs of Termites

While you may be doing your best to prevent termites, an infestation is still possible. Here are a few signs to watch for so you can act quickly if they make their way into your home.

Discarded Wings

If you find wings near windows, doors, or along floorboards, you may have an invasion of termites coming your way. Termites develop wings and use them to fly from their nest to their new home and feeding ground. Termites will twist their wings off intentionally because they no longer need them to travel. Discarded wings are a sign of a termite invasion, and if you find them, it’s best to contact an exterminator.

Termite Pellets

If you find small piles of something that resembles salt or pepper, you may have a termite problem. If termites are living and eating in your home, they will be defecating there, too. These droppings are known as frass and can be found in mounds outside of the termite’s living space in your home. If you notice these piles, you’ll want to call a professional exterminator right away.

Termite Swarms

You may actually see a termite swarm outside or inside your home. These swarms typically occur in the spring, when termites are seeking mates. Reproductive swarms may also result in discarded wings.

The Colony

You may actually stumble across the termite colony in your yard or home. Termite colonies can be found in the soil and also in any wooden structure—live, dead, or even rotting. If you find a termite colony, contact an exterminator. If there are termites on your property, there will soon be termites in your home.

Evidence of Infestation

Mud Tubes

If you notice pencil-sized mud tubes along your floor or walls, it’s likely that you have active termites in your home. Termites build these tunnels to maintain their desired temperature and humidity levels. You’ll find them wherever they have been actively working.

Damaged or Hollow Wood

If the wood in your home is damaged or sounds hollow, it’s likely that there are active termites in your home. Wood and wood products are the primary dietary choice for termites. They feast on and make their homes in the wood on your property. If left unchecked, the damage can become extensive.

Cracked or Distorted Paint

Cracked or distorted paint on your walls, floorboards, or other wooden objects may be an indication of active termites. Termites will destroy anything in the way of their meal—the wood and cellulose products in your home.

Discolored or Drooping Drywall

If you find discolored or drooping drywall in your home, it’s likely that you are dealing with active termites. As mentioned before, while wood is the primary sustenance for termites, they also feed on other cellulose-based products; your drywall and its paperboard make a great snack.

If you are concerned that your home is at risk for termites or if you need a termite inspection in the Des Moines area, contact Springer. Set up your free inspection today!

The biggest threat to your home may be attacking you right under your nose—or floors. Termites affect more than half a million homes in the U.S. each year. Unfortunately, these silent destroyers can go undetected for quite some time, often until the damage has harmed not only your home but also your wallet. If you’re not careful, you may be chipping into the $5 billion spent each year on termite-related expenses.

Concerned that your home may be at risk? There are several precautions you can take to lower your chances of a termite infestation. Check out these five ways to protect your home from termites.

1. Keep your yard and surrounding areas clear of wood.

Wood serves as both a habitat and food for termites. It’s best to remove all decaying wood, including dead trees and stumps, wood piles, and wooden structures (sheds, barns, etc.) sooner rather than later. The longer wood sits, the longer it has to rot and become a termite nesting ground.

If you do keep a scrap or firewood pile, maintain it in an area as far from your home as possible. Schedule regular burnings, and be sure to inspect the pile frequently during the summer, which is when termites begin mating. It’s also helpful to monitor wooden fences and decks to catch signs of termite damage as soon as possible. If termites have made their nest in your yard, they’ll be coming for your home next!

2. Reduce unnecessary moisture production.

Termites thrive in moist, damp areas. Whenever possible, use a dehumidifier to keep water levels down in unfinished areas of your home. Reduce moisture levels by maintaining and repairing leaky faucets, water pipes, and air conditioning units. Don’t allow water to puddle in crawl space or basement areas. Make sure to clean out gutters and downspouts to allow rainfall to flow away from your home, keeping the surrounding soil as dry as possible.

3. Maintain your landscaping.

Remove wooden mulch, damp soil, and overgrown greenery from around your home. These conditions, much like a rotting tree stump, provide food and shelter for termites and can become the perfect pit stop on the way into your home. Keeping shrubbery and trees closest to your home trimmed and manicured can also aid in bringing these pests out of the shadows. Be sure to clear plants and bushes away from vents in your home’s exterior as these entryways are where termites have the easiest access into the structure of your house.

4. Seal all of the exterior cracks on the structure of your home.

Use multi-purpose caulk, wood sealant, or paint to coat and protect your shingles, deck, and foundation. Termites can get into the drywall of your home through minuscule cracks, so be sure to address any areas that may become problematic. Repair wooden structures like decks, arbors, and trellises that are in direct contact with your home; damaged wood is the perfect entryway for hungry termites.

5. Schedule annual inspections with a Des Moines-area pest control professional.

Utilizing the help of a professional pest control agency will help you to protect your home and prevent termite infestation. Pest control professionals will be able to inspect problem spots and detect potential infestation areas. Unsure of whether your home is at risk? There are various ways pest control professionals can help keep your home free of termites, from inspection to control and removal of termites.

How to Detect a Termite Infestation

Potential warning signs of a termite infestation include the appearance of pale, sometimes winged, soft-bodied insects ranging from ¼ to ½” in size; the development of pencil-wide mud tubes on your foundation, walls, or joists; or damaged, hollowed-out wood.

Your house isn’t just the building you live in; it’s where you’ve built your life. Protect it. If you are concerned that your home may be under attack from termites or other pests, contact Springer Professional Home Services. Our team has been providing quality home care to the Des Moines area for decades. Our trained professionals will work with you from start to finish on your project, whether you need a routine inspection or a full-fledged removal. Call us today!