How To Spot Termites
By nature, termites hide from you. The inside of the walls is the best place for them to feed and breed. Most of the foraging and digging is done by worker termites. They’re about 1/8 of an inch long and are white or grayish-white. They’re protected by the slightly larger soldiers, who are yellow-brown. They have rectangular heads and defined jaws. Swarmers have the all-important “job” of reproduction. They’re ½ inch long and have wings. Color-wise, they can be brown, black, or yellow. When the termite nest is full in the spring, swarmers take off to mate and create new colonies. That considered, if you see one, it means you likely have an infestation. Swarmers typically surface from cracks and crevices and fly around the nearest light source. You may catch them fluttering by a window or lamp.
Since termites don’t usually make themselves known until they’ve already wreaked havoc, proactively looking for signs of their presence is essential. Watch out for the following:
- Rustling or ticking sounds behind walls
- Drywall that’s beginning to droop or lose proper color
- Multiple small wall holes that look like needle points
- Loose or weakened baseboards, tiles, and floor panels
- Bubbling or chipping paint that appears water damaged
- Fleck piles that look similar to spilled salt and pepper
- Wood that sounds hollow when you knock on it
- Maze patterns and mud tubes in walls
- Left behind swarmer wings that may look like fish scales
What You Can Do To Prevent Termites
Living without wood doesn’t seem possible. We use it for our buildings, furniture, and many other objects. However, that doesn’t mean your property falling prey to termites is inevitable. There are several steps you can take to foil their plans. Most actions will consist of landscaping, cleaning, and structural maintenance:
- Get rid of or restore rotting wood, particularly any softened by water damage.
- Repair all leaks, but especially those causing wood to be wet.
- If you have loose wood, such as a carpentry panel, keep it off of the soil.
- Store free wood several feet from your property.
- Close or mend openings in foundations, walls, and utility lines like pipes.
- Groom your greenery and lawn, and have it at a distance from buildings.
- Clean gutters and vents regularly.
How Big D Pest & Termite Services Can Help
There’s an old saying that “it’s all in a name.” That’s certainly true with Big D Pest & Termite Services. We specialize in preventing and exterminating termites. McKinney residents can’t combat them on their own, so we do it for them. Retail bug sprays have only a superficial reach, that termites can easily survive. Don’t waste money on trial and error products. Spare your wallet, schedule, and emotions by calling us, professionals. Our thorough methods are safe for pets and humans. Only the crawling intruders will feel the burn. Rest assured, the termites will be and stay gone.
For almost 20 years, we’ve been keeping McKinney homes, apartments, and establishments insect and creature free. We’re proud to say we have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB), and all of our technicians are licensed and insured. Don’t wait another minute; call us today for total home termite control!