How can you protect your home from termite infestation?

Home Damage from Termites

Termites in Arizona are prevalent pests and some of the ones we’re called most frequently to control. We want you to know what signs you should look for, what can termites do to your home, and how can you protect your home from termite infestation.

One of the biggest fears that many Arizona homeowners face is discovering a nest of termites around their homes. Let’s take a look at why termites are a problem for homeowners, the damage they can do to the home, and the steps you can take for termite control. Termites are small insects, but despite their small size, they eat wood at a very fast rate, making them dangerous to wooden structures. Furthermore, termites travel in colonies, meaning that termites can destroy the structural foundation of a home or other wooden structure very quickly. Houses, with their wooden structures, are very susceptible to termite damage. Even houses built of brick or stone are susceptible to termite damage because most homes have wooden components to their structure.

One of the reasons that termites can cause so much damage is that they’re often not discovered until a significant amount of damage has been done to the structure of the house – in some cases, termite colonies have remained hidden for decades unbeknownst to homeowners. Homeowners should be aware of the top signs to look for in order to identify if they might have a termite infestation.

Mud Tubes

Mud tubes from termites

In Arizona, the most common termite we have is the subterranean termite. These termites live in the soil and the main sign that these termites may be near your home is the presence of mud tubes along the foundation of your home. These mud tubes can also be found inside your home through small cracks in your foundation. For example, you might see mud tubes in the inside of a cabinet or near plumbing, or inside walls. The problem is that, even though these are signs you can look for, they are sometimes very well hidden and difficult to find.

Other Signs of Termites

You might start noticing very small holes in walls. This can be a sign of termite damage. You also might see small piles of sawdust in your home, another sign that your home may have an infestation.

Before a large infestation, termites in Arizona can be treated through preventative measures. If you find signs it’s important to take steps to control the problem and to investigate for further damage. For more information, read our post on 5 signs of termite infestation.

Annual Termite Inspections for Preventative Control

The best way to protect your home against termites is with preventative annual termite inspections. During a termite inspection, we inspect the interior and exterior of your home to determine if you have existing termite damage or if termite colonies are present. If your home shows signs of termite damage, we can sit down with you to help determine the best program to help rid your home of termites.

What to Know About Preventative Termite Treatments

Many homeowners opt for preventative termite treatment, even if their homes show no signs of termite damage during an inspection. In fact, this is such a prevalent issue in Arizona that newly built homes must have a preventative treatment done before the foundation is laid. The problem with these treatments, however, is that the effectiveness can wear out as a new home is built, landscaped, and as things like pools are dug in backyards. As a result, opting for follow-up termite prevention measures can be a great solution for new homeowners looking to protect their home’s structure.

When you’re concerned about termites in Arizona, the best thing you can do is schedule a termite inspection. You can also look for signs of subterranean termites including mud tubes and damage to walls and beams. With careful inspections, you can help protect your home’s structure by preventing, or catching and treating, termite infestations before they cause damage to your home. We serve all of Phoenix including Gilbert and Scottsdale.