Owning a home can be stressful and even more so when you toss in unexpected problems and issues that can arise. A leaky faucet, weeds in your garden, or torn window screens are easy fixes that homeowners can tackle themselves. However, when it comes to dealing with insects, rodents, or even pest birds in your home it should be left to the experts. Through the years we have learned that one of the most destructive and costly pests homeowners have had to deal with are termites.
Termites are small, pale white to nearly translucent insects that range from 1/8 to ¼ of an inch in size. These troublesome insects could be living in your walls, ceiling, and floors right now, silently eating away and destroying your home. Their damage is often not covered by homeowner insurance and annually costs homeowners in the U.S. over 5 billion dollars in repairs. Imagine this, over 100,000 insects living within your home, consuming not only the wooden structure of your home by building tunnels and nests, but also causing damage to your clothing, paper, carpets, and other cellulose items. Within just a few years a large termite colony can weaken the structure of a building to the point of possibly collapsing.
There are termite signs that can reveal if termites are looking to your structure as a future meal or if they are already cohabitating with you already. Each spring termites become active, swarming in search of a new home. You may mistake termite swarmers for winged ants, a common misconception. Look for the swarming termites to have 4 wings of equal size and a broader waist than flying ants. Other signs that a termite colony made have already moved into your property are:
- Tiny holes in wood surfaces
- Crumbling drywall
- Mud tubes running along your foundation
- Sagging window and door frames
- Shed swarmer wings or dead termites near windows
- Floors or ceiling appearing “squishy” or water damaged
Take a look around your home. See if there is any one or multiple of these signs of termite activity are true in your home. If you haven’t found any signs of these wood-consuming insects in your home, it doesn’t mean they aren’t there. It is always the best idea to have a highly trained Parkway pest control professional perform a termite inspection. At Parkway Pest Services we have over 100 years of knowledge and experience in recognizing and eliminating termite problems. Our termite pest control experts are trained to inspect both visible and accessible areas of your home, including basements, substructures, crawl spaces, garages, slabs, and even around the exterior of your home. Our certified termite inspectors at Parkway will often complete inspections in under an hour and give a detailed report on any findings of termite activity, including cost estimates and recommended termite treatment options.
Whether you are buying a new home or you have never thought to have your home inspected for these damaging and dangerous pests, now is the time to act. To learn more about our pest control service or to schedule a termite inspection, contact Parkway Pest Services today.