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A termite infestation creates a safety issue for you and your family. These bugs grow in numbers quickly and eat the wooden surfaces around your home. If you suspect termites are on your property, here’s what you need to know to identify the problem and prevent significant damage.
What Causes a Termite Infestation?
Several termite species live throughout the USA. Most of these pests are attracted to conditions like:
- Damp environments: Moist locations like gutters, wet grass, and tree-covered properties are breeding grounds for Subterranean termites.
- Loose wood: Wooden fences, dry branches, and piles of twigs may attract termites.
- Structural openings: Termites can crawl inside a home through cracks in the foundation or other structural gaps.
What Does Termite Damage Look Like?
Termite damage may be easy to identify depending on the severity of the infestation. Look for signs like these:
- Holes or mazes in wooden surfaces
- Mud tubes
- Odors of mold and mildew
- Bubbling drywall
- Peeling paint
- Buckling floors
- Sticky windows or doors
Typical Termite Damage Repair Costs
The cost of termite wood damage depends on the size of the infestation and how long the insects were eating away at your home before mitigation. If there’s structural damage, that’s likely where you’ll spend the most on repairs. You’ll also want to factor in the costs of cosmetic repairs if the termites have left you with peeling paint or buckling floors.
The first step in estimating the cost is to reach out to a pest control professional who can mitigate the insects and assess the damage.
Past Termite Damage or an Active Termite Problem?
Old termite damage will look similar to an active infestation, starting with holes in surfaces and peeling paint. The best advice is to search for live termites. Worker termites are small insects that have a white tint to them. There’s a chance you could find detached wings from others in the colony throughout your home, too.
Termite Damage vs. Wood Rot
Are you unsure if the damage you’re looking at is caused by a termite infestation or wood rot? Mud tubes and small holes that reach deep within a surface are the main indicators of a termite problem. You can identify wood rot by the presence of fungus, spores, and surfaces that feel spongy.
Preventing Future Termite Infestations
Follow these tips to stay on top of a termite problem:
- Schedule routine inspections.
- Look for damage in and around the house periodically.
- Seek professional pest control when you need it.
- Keep an eye on treated surfaces following a visit.
Schedule Service With Quest Termite & Pest
Quest Termite & Pest works with businesses and homeowners throughout Lehigh and Northampton Counties in Pennsylvania. We specialize in termite pest control services and assist with reducing other insect populations, too. For more information about our treatment process and scheduling service, contact our team online!
