Are you as excited about termites as we are here at Russell’s Pest Control? Well, it’s that time of year again- Termite Awareness Week is quickly approaching! You may be wondering why we are so excited about termites, aren’t termites bad news? We agree termites are very bad news, which is why we so are excited to spread the word about these damaging pests to hopefully help to stop termite infestations before they have the chance to start for the residents of East Tennessee!
Termites are a year-round pest that, once inside of a home or other building, will silently and continuously create tunnels and feed on the structural wood found inside. Termites, if not stopped, can cause a lot of structural damage to homes that can be very time consuming and costly to repair. In fact, it has been estimated that termites are responsible for causing over 5 billion dollars’ worth of damages to properties annually- believe us when we say, these pests are no joke!
Spring is right around the corner which means that temperatures start to increase and termites will become even more active. Spring is also the time of year when the winged reproductive members of termite colonies swarm from the colony, mate, and start a new colony of their own. This is why spring is the perfect time of year for the National Pest Management Association to “celebrate” and bring about termite awareness! The fifth annual Termite Awareness week will be held this year from March 13-19, the goal is to increase termite awareness, educate the public about termites, and of course provide helpful prevention tips!
Russell’s wants to jump start termite awareness week by providing you with our own tips to help you notice the signs of termites in your home. By understanding the warning signs you can get help from a professional termite control expert sooner rather than later and hopefully limit the damages caused by these pests! Signs of termite activity in and around your home include:
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Noticing mud tubes running on the surface of the ground toward your home or on the foundation or exterior walls of your home. These mud tubes are usually about the width of a pencil and are what the termites use to travel from their nest to their food source.
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Finding piles of wings near doors or windows. The reproductive members will discard their wings after swarming from the colony. This is a good indicator that there is a mature termite colony living in or near your home.
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Soft wood located within your home that sounds “hollow” when you tap on it.
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Painting on the walls of your home that is starting to appear splintered or blistered.
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In the case of a large infestation, you may notice doorways or ceilings that are starting to appear warped.
For more information about termites, the termite control services provided by Russell’s Pest Control, or for more information about termite awareness week 2016, contact Russell’s today!