Termites in Irvine can cause a lot of damage when left unchecked for too long. To prevent damage, either arrange for an annual termite inspection, look for the signs that termites have invaded your home, or do a combination of the two. Each year, termites cause $5 billion in damage to wooden structures within the US alone. While many people believe that termites are only active in the springtime, the truth is that they are active throughout the entire year. Look for these signs and call for an exterminator as soon as possible.
Signs That Termites Have Moved Into Your Home
* Termites in Irvine won’t be visible because they prefer to live in dark places. Tap on wooden structures. If the wood sounds hollow, it is a good bet that the termites are chowing down inside the wood. They can significantly weaken support structures in very little time.
* If you see tubes made of mud on your exterior walls, this can be a sign that subteranean termites have managed to get in. Since termites need moisture while they forage, keep plant material well away from wooden walls.
* When termites swarm, they often leave piles of insect wings at their arrival location. There are two different types of termites. The subteranean variety swarms in the springtime as they search for new locations to reproduce. The drywood termites tend to swarm at unpredictable times.
* Termites do leave droppings that look like wood. For many people, this will be difficult to identify. However, if piles of unfamiliar droppings suddenly appear, don’t ignore them. Do more investigation and contact a pest control company to verify that termites are indeed living within your home.
* When painted surfaces suddenly become distorted or cracked, it is time to look closer. Termites can actually enter building through very thin cracks. Use paint or putty to seal openings on the outside of your home.
In Irvine, the experts at Southern California Exterminators will work with you to rid your home of termites. Trained to find the signs of infestation, they will take the necessary steps to exterminate them to protect the investment that you have made in your home. For more information, visit www.hubofarticles.com.
