How to Prevent Termite Attacks

It can be extremely stressful to find a termite infestation inside the structure of your Missouri home. Termite infestations cannot be ignored

or put off since termites are around-the-clock eating machines! They are active every day of the week, quietly eating the wood in your house.  Interested in learning more about termites and their appearance, visit Pest World. 

Every year, termites infest approximately 5 million homes in the U.S. and cause over $5 billion in property damage. The average repair cost, once termites are discovered, is between $3,000 and $11,00—and the bad news is this damage is rarely covered by insurance. 

Protecting your property goes hand-in-hand with saving money. Luckily, there are solutions to prevent the risk of termite attacks, and it’s possible to stop the infestation before it can cause irreparable damage. 

To know whether or not termites are inhabiting your home, look out for these signs:

• Termite swarmers and discarded wings are one of the first visible signs of active termite infestation. You might find dead swarmers or discarded wings near windowsills and entryways. People often mistake swarmers for flying ants. A key distinction to identifying a termite is its straighter body and two evenly-sized pairs of wings.
• Check for mud tubes. Termites make these pathways on walls and foundations while they travel between their colony and food source.
• Wood damage. Termites typically target areas like window and door frames since they are accessible.
• Buckling paint or tiny holes in the wood of your home.
• Termite droppings or frass. Drywood termite frass is wood-colored and pellet-shaped, often appearing like wood dust or shavings.
• Hollow-sounding wood. This is dangerous, as wooden structures may no longer provide strong support.

To prevent the risk of termite attacks on your home, here are some helpful tips:

• Fix faulty faucets and water lines to prevent moisture build-up.
• Keep firewood, mulch, and other debris away from your property because termites love them.
• Seal cracks and holes, including areas where utilities and pipes enter the home.
• Trim any trees, bushes, or other large plants near your house.
• Reduce moisture and humidity in crawl spaces. Vents should be kept free of leaves, dirt, and other debris. Make sure plants do not block your ducts.

Remember that you must eliminate the infestation first before doing home repairs. Every house is unique, so it’s always best to contact your trusted pest control company to provide effective solutions to protect your home from these destructive pests.

Vogelsang Pest Management offers various pest control services for homeowners and businesses throughout St. Charles, Lincoln, and St. Louis counties in Missouri. Schedule a termite inspection or a preventative protection appointment today!