Termite infestation is preventable, so you don’t obtain any insurance coverage. The insurance providers expect that homeowners take precautionary steps to keep these destructive and invasive pests away. Termites are hard to testify, especially when you are not aware of how they look and what to look for.
Termites cause significant damage, so it is sensible for homeowners in Oklahoma to contact Edmond pest control technicians to limit the damages. The cellulose fibers available in the wooden structure are the main food source of termites. They tunnel through floorboards, support beams, and decks so can go unnoticed for years. As they stay under floors or inside walls, it is hard to detect early infestation stages.
What termites look like?
The soldier and worker termites are cream in color. They have no wings. Swarmers are black to dark brown. They appear like winged ants. They are liable for reproduction. Swarmers leave the nest during the mating season [when you see] and start new colonies.
How to spot termites?
Mud tubes
Oklahoma City experiences common termite species called Eastern Subterranean Termite. They are most destructive and cannot live without moisture. Therefore, they reside inside water-damaged wood structures or underground. In case, the subterranean termites need to move above ground, they create mud tubes. These are pencil-sized pathways that run upwards your external home foundation. If you notice these mud tubes call Pest Control Edmond OK services.
Swarmers
When the termite colonies grow, there arises a need to expand. For expansion, the queen reproduces winged termites called swarmers. You can locate them around homes and if you notice them indoors, it means your house is currently infested. Swarmers move indoors through tunnels made by worker termites in the structural wood.
Moisture damage
For maintaining a moist environment, while tunneling subterranean termites carry little moisture. Moisture damage soon starts to spread across the infested homes. The moisture spread by termites within the home causes –
- Overly squeaky floorboards
- Bubbling paint or wallpaper
- Tight-fitting windows & doors
- Wet and sagging drywall
- Discoloration of the walls, ceilings, and floors
- Dipping floors and ceilings
- Buckling beams
If you identify the above signs then it is possibly a termite infestation. Call exterminator Edmond OK instead of using do-it-yourself techniques. The professionals are well-trained and experienced in identifying the infestations. The technicians evaluate your property and home interiors for these invasive pests. If termites are found then they offer detailed elimination services and if not, preventive measures are offered.
How to prevent the infestation from termites?
If there are no termite activities identified, it is time to get proactive and take preventive steps. Termites are difficult pests to avert but there are things homeowners can do to reduce the risks.
- Install barrier between home foundation and soil.
- Reduce moisture using dehumidifiers as well as fix the leaky plumbing because termites are attracted towards moistness.
- Remove decayed or water-damaged wood from the yard or garden.
- Store firewood in a dry area away from your home [30 feet minimum].
For more information about termite treatment visit Edmond Pest Control Blog.