Termites are house pests that are infamous for the fact that they devour timber. This timber forms a part of their diet. Termites are small and may not be as easy to spot as other pests. So, how can you identify them and what are the most practical steps you can take to deal with any termite infestation?
Sound From Timber
Termites generally avoid activity and so carry out their activities below the surface to prevent disturbance. This means that they will feed on the underside of floorboards or feed on the inner surface of timber in wall panels. The timber will then make a hollow sound when tapped. This can be used to determine areas of termite activity in your home.
Another sign of termite activity is bubbling within the paint or even cracks. This comes about as the termites are trying to feed off the interior of the surface and the termites are trying to move through the paint.
Termite activity may come with a pungent, off-putting odour. This scent is akin to a mould – like smell that would come from water – damaged wood, so perhaps you may not have termites. However, if you generally have been in a rain-free season, then you may start looking around for termites. The odour may come about due to termite droppings. Since termites may live in large colonies, their collective droppings may give off an unpleasant smell.
These present themselves as circular structures on the surface of your walls or along the ground. The termites usually combine the termite droppings and mud to form a tunnel of sorts which is used as a pathway by the termites from the food source to the termite nest. These tunnels are usually built at the corners of walls and so may a bit hard to spot.
Now that we have covered the most telling signs of termite infestation, we can delve into how to best deal with them.
Hire a Professional Pest Service
Termite treatment may be complicated since it will primarily involve the use of pest chemicals. These chemicals may be spray – based or liquid – based. These chemicals may be toxic to human beings when inhaled or when they get into contact with your skin. As such, it may not be prudent for the average homeowner to operate such chemicals. You would be better placed to hire out a professional pest control service to deal with the pests. To find an excellent pest service, you may conduct an online search for any local pest providers within your area.
Destroying Termite Tunnels
As mentioned, one sure sign of termite infestation is the formation of mud tunnels on the surface of walls. One way to reduce the number of termites is the destruction of these tunnels as this disrupts the flow of food within the colony. Also, this will lead to the death of a good portion of the termites.
Clear Any Mulch
Aside from feeding on timber, termites also feed on any mulch as it is rich in cellulose, one of their primary dietary needs. It’s also easy for this mulch to retain water once it gets wet, making it a prime spot for the building of mud tunnels.