Termites are small, hard-to-see creatures that can cause a lot of damage to your home if they’re not caught early. Seven termite families encompass more than 2,300 termite species. In the United States, there are three common types of termites: dry wood termites, damp wood termites, and subterranean termites.
While these species of termites do an excellent job of recycling nutrients from dead plants back into the ecosystem, it’s essential to identify the signs of an infestation in your home to get help before it’s too late. Look for evidence of termites, such as wings on the floor, mud tubes, and damaged wood. If you have a termite infestation, do not hesitate to contact a professional Salt Lake Valley pest control company immediately.
Methods for Detecting the Presence of Termites in Your Residence
Several signs can indicate a termite infestation in your home.
Termite Wings on the Floor
This is one of the most obvious signs that you may have a termite infestation in your home. Termites will shed their wings as they grow older, and you may find them scattered around your home.
Mud Tubes
These are made of mud and saliva, and termites will use them to travel between their nest and the food they’re eating.
Damaged Wood
Damaged wood is another sign of a termite infestation, as termites eat away at the wood until it’s weakened. A typical sign of this is a bunch of holes in the wood. Termites make these tunnels as they eat and travel through the wood.
10 Reasons Not to Ignore House Termites
While most people know that house termites can cause extensive damage to wood, several other dangers come with ignoring a house termite problem.
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Mature Termite Colonies are Voracious Feeders –
A mature house termite colony can eat through an impressive amount of wood each day. Sometimes, a large enough colony can completely consume a small home in just a few months.
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Termites tend to Carry Dangerous Diseases –
In addition to the damage they can cause to your home, termites can severely threaten your health. These pests carry diseases like salmonella and dysentery, which can be passed on to humans if we come into contact with them.
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Termites Can Cause Asthma and Allergic Reactions –
Some people are also allergic to termites, which can cause asthma and other respiratory problems. In severe cases, a person may even go into anaphylactic shock if they’re exposed to too many termites at once.
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Termites Cause Structural Damage in Properties –
As termites consume wood, they weaken its structure. This means your home is more susceptible to collapse with a termite infestation.
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They’re Difficult to Get Rid of –
House termites are also challenging to remove once they’ve taken up residence in your home. This is because they build their nests deep inside the wood, making it hard for pesticides to reach them.
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You May Not Be Covered by Insurance –
Unfortunately, most homeowners insurance policies don’t cover damage caused by termites. This means you’ll be stuck with the bill if these pests cause extensive damage to your home.
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They can endure even the harshest of conditions –
Much like cockroaches and bed bugs, house termites are incredibly resilient. They can survive in almost any climate, making them a tricky pest to eliminate. They can even survive in 95% humidity. The only way to eliminate these pests from your property is to get rid of their eggs and the entirety of their nest. Hiring an Exterminator is Expensive.
If you hire an exterminator, be prepared to shell out a pretty penny. This is because getting rid of a house termite infestation is a complicated and time-consuming process, which usually involves tenting your entire house to eliminate every last termite, so they don’t have a chance to migrate to a new area of your home, or worse, jump to a neighboring home or business.
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You May Face Legal Action –
Owning a rental property may also face legal action if you ignore a house termite problem. This is because the damage these pests can cause can make your home unsafe for occupancy. If you suspect that you have a house termite problem, it’s essential to take action immediately. These pests can cause extensive damage to your home and severely threaten your and your tenant’s health, so it’s best to get rid of them as soon as possible.
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Termites can Cause Electrical Issues –
If Termites build their nest in the walls of your house, they will attack any electrical wiring near their nest and follow the wiring back to whatever apparatus it is connected to. Eating through the plastic casing can cause the wires to short circuit, making parts of your home blackout, and can even possibly cause a house fire!
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Their Presence is Typically a Sign of Water Damage –
If you have house termites, there’s a good chance that there is already water damage in your home. This is because these pests are attracted to damp, humid conditions.
Final Thoughts on the Dangers of House Termites
Termites can cause a lot of damage to your home and pose a severe threat to your health. These pests are difficult to eliminate, so immediate action is essential if you think you may have a termite infestation. Hiring an exterminator is expensive, but it’s the only way to eliminate these pests from your home.
Owning a rental property may also face legal action if you ignore a house termite problem. So be sure to watch for any signs of termites, and don’t wait – call a pest control pro and get rid of those pesky termites!