There is something special about signing the deed to your home. Even if you don't fully own yours yet, it still belongs to you and is therefore special. The question is, what lengths would you go to to keep it safe? One thing that threatens properties here in Riverside is a subterranean termite infestation. If you would like to protect your property against these destructive and quiet pests, we have a secret you need to know.
What Are Subterranean Termites?
Many species of termites live around the globe. Here in Riverside, subterranean termites, specifically eastern subterranean termites, are the most common. They are also the most destructive. When these pests infest homes, they quietly tunnel in underground and invade deep into structural wood. With no need to sleep and an insatiable hunger for cellulose, the main component found in wood; these pests work constantly. As populations expand, termite swarmers are sent out to make new colonies. If your home has enough wood to share, these colonies will work together to harvest food as fast as possible.
Why Your Home Might Have A Termite Problem
One thing that limits a subterranean termite's ability to harvest wood is the condition it is in. If the wood is treated and kept dry, these pests will have difficulty starting an infestation. However, if the wood is soft, subterranean termites will have everything they need to infest a property. What makes wood soft? Three things — water damage, rot, and decay. One thing we should add is that subterranean termites spread moisture damage. All they need to cause serious damage to a home is a place to start.
How To Tell If Your Home Has A Termite Problem
Identifying subterranean termites is not an easy task. Most signs these pests leave around homes only show up after they eat for several months or even years. These signs include tight-fitting doors and windows, sagging drywall, bubbling paint and wallpaper, overly-squeaky floorboards, and other moisture-related damage. One early sign that occasionally gives these pests away is mud tubes. They build these pencil-sized tunnels up the exterior of homes to get from the exterior soil to gatherable wood. If they find an easier entryway, these mud tubes will not be needed nor found.
Some Practical Prevention Tips To Deter Termites
The less cellulose your property offers termites, the less likely it will be to settle down nearby and cause damage to your house. In order to help deter these pests from chewing at your home's structural wood, try the following prevention tips.
- Use a caulking gun or some liquid cement to fill in holes, gaps, and cracks in your home's exterior foundation.
- Check your gutters. Make sure they are clean and properly channeling water away from your home.
- Fix leaky piping and fixtures in and around your house.
- Eliminate sources of standing water around your property.
- Store firewood at least 30 feet from your home's exterior.
- Repair or replace structural wood around your house that is water-damaged, rotting, or in decay.
The Only Way To Effectively Control Termites
DIY termite prevention is more of a bandage than a guaranteed solution. The only way to ensure your home stays termite-free year-round is to invest in professional termite control. For the best termite control here in Riverside, look no further than the experts at Green Flash Pest Control. We will implement long-term pest solutions around your property and get your home everything it needs to combat wood-destroying pests like termites.
Call us today to discuss termite control services and termite repair solutions. Our experts are waiting to service your Riverside property and keep it protected from termites.