One of your most significant resources as a homeowner in Ferguson is your property. On the other hand, a termite infestation can quietly and rapidly degrade your house. Knowing about termites, their diet, and the apparent symptoms of an infestation is the first step in preventing termite damage. The following are some potential causes that are attracting termites to your home. For more information, contact Ferguson Exterminator Services.
Ways by which you are attracting termites to your home unknowingly
Termites are wood-eating annoyance bugs that live in ant-like nests or colonies. Though they can be mistaken for ants, termites are identified by their four equal-length wings, stout waists, and straight antennae, if they have wings at all. In order to obtain cellulose, these insects tunnel into the earth or into wooden structures, where they form colonies. If wood is not maintained or treated, homes and surrounding regions can turn into suitable termite colonies. Termites are pushed to relocate from their natural habitats into populated areas for multiple reasons. To move throughout the colony and keep out of the air, they dug mud tubes and tunnels made of wood.
Any food source containing cellulose, especially wood, may lure termites in. However, certain termites prefer moist, pliable wood or reside on the earth near the base of your house. As a result, it is a good idea to check your home’s basement, crawl spaces, or other low-lying areas that are not regularly or easily accessible for any indications of prolonged moisture buildup or standing water.
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Outdoor wooden piles
A lot of people who collect and burn wood for their houses like to keep their stacks close to the house and covered. Although this is often useful and protects firewood from the weather, termites enjoy infesting wood piles. Therefore, this may lead to termites getting into your house.
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If you have tree stumps
Termites prefer to start infestations on your property near tree stumps. Termites see them as a “welcome home” sign because they are decaying lumber that decays quickly and becomes soft and damp. It may not be long before termites find a way into your house if they are allowed to invade tree stumps and other dead wood on your property.
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Keeping mulch in your garden
Although mulch is an excellent option for gardening, termites can find it to be an absolute feast of little, dry wood pieces. Furthermore, a lot of people fail to put any barrier between the mulch and their home’s foundation; instead, they let the mulch come into proximity to it.
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Having persistent roof problems
Termites have a lot of entry points into your house from roofs. Termites can use any low-hanging branches that come into contact with your roof as a bridge. Termites may also be attracted to this area if your gutters are blocked and have difficulty emptying. Termites can quickly breach roofs and enter the rest of a house from these sites.
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Problems in your basement
Termites may attack a lot of houses that are built on top of crawlspaces or those with unfinished basements or cellars. These kinds of areas are notorious for retaining moisture and for leaving wooden structure supports exposed to pest infestation. In the unlikely case that a termite colony finds entry to your home through this method, it may cause severe damage.
Some common misconceptions about termites
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Do termites actually eat wood?
Termites consume wood and materials containing cellulose, including books, cartons, wallpaper, drywall, carpet backing, and furniture. Termites maintain the ecosystem in their natural habitat. They break down decaying wood to generate humus, an organic substance that enriches soil.
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Can termites eat through plastic?
Termites are unable to eat plastic. In order to get a food supply, they may try to cut through plastic.
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Can termites eat concrete?
Termites cannot eat concrete. Homeowners might think that termites have penetrated this sturdy barrier because termites may squeeze through cracks and fissures in concrete.
