Termite Infestation – What Can You Do?

Termite Infestation – What Can You Do? Termites are malicious and dangerous; they can destroy an entire house in a single night. You must take immediate action if you suspect termites have been in your house. Termites are attracted to moisture and wood, so if there is evidence of termite infestation, this will be found first on the exterior walls of the building near the ground.

A simple inspection with a flashlight will show if there are any signs of small holes or large circular patches on the wall or ceiling where large numbers of tiny insects have emerged from their galleries.

These images may be accompanied by tunnels and castings (mud tubes), which confirm that termites have infested your home at least to some degree.

There are several types of termite infestations; the two most common are dry and damp wood. The former begins on the outer wall but eventually makes its way through the entire structure of the house. The ants usually attack wood that is on or near the ground level. On the other hand, damp wood termites attack wood inside partially water-logged buildings.

Termites contribute to a great deal of damage to your home in a short time, and left untreated, they will multiply until the entire building is severely compromised with structural damage.

Signs of terminated infestation

You see evidence of termite damage.

Termites can get inside your house through small gaps that they create in your woodwork, so they will chew chunks of wood off, leaving it slightly off-kilter. They generally do not attack the structural pieces of a house but instead move on to destroy insulation and plumbing. Outside of your house, they may carry their pesty habits further and eat away at trees, foundations, or anything else they come across.

You can hear them running around on your walls or floors.

Like most pests that invade your homes, termites cause just enough damage to their surroundings to remain hidden from our view for quite a while. However, when their pheromones are released, and they are around you, you can easily hear them.

You spot a pile of sawdust in the woods outside your house.

If a large colony of termites is moving into your home, this is a sign that you should know about it. Termites will eat away hardwood trees to create tunnels for themselves and water sources. These tunnels will make it much easier for them to move around and build their nests.

That means that if your home is close to any trees, you may be in danger of termite infestation – significantly if the wood they are gnawing on has been weakened by drought or other factors.

What you can do during a termite infestation

Ensure you are safe

If your house is already infested, there are a few things you can do on your own from a safety standpoint. Ensure that you wear gloves, eye protection, and protective clothing when working in any area that may have termite damage to avoid contamination by the termites. Some simple tests can be performed to detect termite infestations within your home:

• Place a small amount of clear honey or ketchup on an outdoor wall or other areas where termites travel regularly. If any termites are present, they will typically cover the substance with mud and castings within 48 hours.

• If you suspect termites within your home, test the integrity of wood floors using a screwdriver. If it can penetrate the flooring, there is a good chance that termites are responsible for the deterioration.

Prevent entry points

Your home’s termite entry points can include:

A damaged wooden fence or board near your home’s foundation or the ground level (so long as it’s not too close to the house). The only way to know for sure is to check with a pest control company. A termite will often fly in and out of an opening too small for anyone else to go through and then walk right in by mistake.

That is known as a cryptic termite infestation. They hide so well because they’re building their colony and tunneling underneath your home. The gaps in the rotten wood you find on the ground or under a deck or patio. You should also check these places out because termites will eat through wood but stop when they hit concrete or brick.

Keep an eye out for termite wings, shed wings, frass, and mud tubes because these will be sure signs of a termite infestation. You’ll have to look for a few other signs as well.

Wooden fences with cracks, breakages, and holes. The same goes for wooden pillars if you have them built into the walls of your home. They can be eaten away by the heat of your home’s insulation and then make their way inside through a tiny hole.

Examine your home for damage

Termites tend to eat away at wood and wood products, so if you’ve got any wooden furniture or fixtures in your home, you will need to inspect them closely. You should also check out other wooden or wooden-like items like your handrails and fencing. You can always have the pest control pro check this stuff out because they will inform you if they are termite-resistant.

If they are not resistant, you may have to eliminate them if there is even a small possibility that they are harboring termites in their timbers.

Seal your home’s seams

If you have significant gaps in both the outer and inner perimeter of your home, you may have termites in the home. You should also seal these seams so that they cannot easily get into these areas by way of a crack or small hole. That can mean either caulking or caulk rated for termites because the caulk will not work if it is not safe for them to chew through.

You will also need to get rid of any loose screws and nails that could provide them with access to new areas inside your home. The last thing you want is an infestation to start somewhere else inside where they are already unwelcome.

Keep your home dry

It is easy to forget the most significant factor that can lead to a termite infestation: excess moisture. You might not be able to control termites, but you should still do what you can to prevent them from happening. Bodily moisture from showering and bathing is one of the most common reasons for a termite infestation.

They take shelter in dumpster areas, garages, sheds, and similar structures. The most appropriate way to prevent this is by installing ventilation fans which will help circulate the air around your house just enough so that moisture does not get trapped in certain parts or rooms of the building.

Contact an experienced exterminator.

Call a professional exterminator if the termite infestation is too severe and dangerous to manage on your own. He will be able to complete more extensive testing, determine the best course of treatment, and then proceed with treatment as needed. Options include:

Removing infested wood and replacing it with new wood that toxic chemicals have treated. This treatment is only appropriate if no people live in or around the house (or only during certain seasons). Otherwise, it is better to seal any entry points and treat the house with insecticides.

Treating the house with insecticides designed for termites (a professional exterminator will still administer the treatment). The exterminator will apply chemicals to the wood to allow them to penetrate any hidden galleries or tunnels created by the termites. You must take all necessary precautions when attempting this type of treatment – it is not recommended to take on this task alone.

Termite Infestation – What Can You Do?
Conclusion

A termite infestation can devastate your home, not just because they will eat away at the wood and other materials that make up your house but also because they will multiply rapidly. If you discover that you have a termite problem in Singapore, it is essential to act quickly to fight back before the problem gets worse.