Signs Of Termite Infestation Tennessee Homeowners Need To Be Aware Of

Signs Of Termite Infestation Tennessee Homeowners Need To Be Aware Of

When it comes to pests, there is a wide range of dangers associated with them, depending on what type of pest they are. Some pests are simply nuisances meaning that they don’t transmit illnesses and don’t do a great deal of damage, but are simply annoying to have around. Other pests are dangerous to humans and may bite, sting, or transmit serious diseases. Then there are the pests that don’t transmit diseases, but cause damages to homes that can be expensive and in some cases, irreparable.

The greatest offender of this third type of pest is the termite. While termites rarely cause bodily harm to humans in the form of bites or stings and are not known to spread diseases, they do cause billions of dollars in damage to homes in the United States every single year!

The biggest problem with termites and the reason they can cause so much damage is that they usually remain undetected for far too long. Oftentimes, by the time homeowners recognize that they have a termite problem, the termites have been causing damages to their homes for years!

In order to avoid termites and the damage they cause, it’s vital that you are proactive in taking measures to prevent them from invading your home, but you should first look for the signs of termites to make sure you don’t already have a termite problem.

Signs of a Termite Infestation

If you have a termite problem, the chances that you’ll see an actual termite are very slim. The greatest chance you have of seeing termites is when they are swarming. This typically occurs in the spring when a large number of the reproductive members of a colony come into plain view to find a mate and form a new colony. You can identify swarmers by their two sets of long white wings and by the fact that you’ll likely see a large cluster of these winged termites. If you see a termite swarm outside your home, your home may be at risk of a termite infestation.

Other signs of a termite infestation are so subtle that even some trained home inspectors or other professionals may miss them! One sign is long grooves created inside of the wood of your home. You typically wouldn’t notice this unless you’re doing renovations to your home. If you knock on a wooden beam and it sounds hollow or break off a piece of wood from your home and it feels light or hollow, you may have a termite problem.

Finally, if you have a major termite problem, you may notice peeling wallpaper, sagging floors or ceilings, windows and doors that won’t open or close properly, and bulging walls. If you see any of these warning signs, it may be time for a termite inspection.

How to Prevent Termites

Termites are attracted to moisture so it is very important to keep your home and surroundings as dry as possible. Establish good drainage systems around your property, repair any leaky pipes immediately, and replace any water damaged wood. In addition, here are a few other things you can do to deter these wood-destroying pests:

  • Keep wood and brush piles a distance away from your home and as dry as possible.
  • Remove dead trees from your property.
  • Keep your gutters cleaned out and free of debris.
  • Keep mulch at least two feet away from your home.
  • Most importantly, consider taking preventative measures in the form of termite prevention from Russell’s Pest Control!

Russell’s offers a comprehensive termite control service built around the Sentricon® System with Always Active™. As its name suggests, this system not only eliminates current termite colonies, it also constantly works to prevent future colonies from forming and invading your home.

Take action today to prevent costly damage tomorrow. Give us a call at Russell’s Pest Control today!

What Can I Do To Make My Home Less Attractive To Termites

What Can I Do To Make My Home Less Attractive To Termites

Termites are a serious problem in Tennessee, due to moisture and moderate temperatures in the spring. Termites live in colonies with workers, soldiers, and reproductives. Termites build their nests underground, but the workers will venture out to forage for food. They look for cellulose that is found in leaves, soil and wood. They may enter homes through small entry points found in either foundations or the exterior walls. Indoors they will be found underneath floors and walls as they feed on the wood. They will work their way through the structural wood of your home. They are particularly drawn to wood that has been previous damaged by moisture. They will travel back and forth through tunnels as they provide food for their colonies. These colonies can grow to massive populations and can form multiple satellite colonies in various places around and throughout the inside of your home, increasing populations as they expand.

Preventing termites in the first place is your best option. To make your home less attractive to termites you should:

  • Keep mulch and other vegetation at least two feet away from your home

  • Store firewood at least ten feet from your home

  • Bushes should be kept at least a foot away from your home

  • Do not leave debris, stick, or leaf piles on your lawn

  • Remove dead trees and stumps from your property

  • Keep your gutters cleaned up to allow for proper drainage

  • Fix leaky pipes and clean up leaking water immediately

These tips can be helpful, but when it comes to termite elimination and reliable protection, it can be accomplished by a professional pest control company like Russell’s Pest Control in Knoxville and eastern Tennessee. We offer a comprehensive termite service and Sentricon® System with Always Active™, that will eliminate active termite infestations and prevent any more termite activity in the future. Russell’s Pest Control professionals know how much your home and money means to you, and can help you prevent termites and the costly damages that they cause. Our termite services can allow you to rest easy knowing your home is protected from termite damages. Don’t wait, call us today!

Cold Winter Weather Makes Home More Vulnerable To Termite Infestations

Cold Winter Weather Makes Home More Vulnerable To Termite Infestations

Oh, the weather outside may be frightful, but what is going on inside the walls of unprotected homes can be even more frightful. Snow, ice, and wind are notorious for leaving properties damaged come springtime, and this can leave homes vulnerable to the most destructive pests. Namely, termites. This article will alert you to the property threats that are posed by these wood-eating insects, and will give several do-it-yourself tips on how to detect and prevent an infestation.

Termites, which cost property owners more than $5 billion annually, are known as “silent destroyers” because of their ability of chew through many parts of your home completely undetected. Things like wood, flooring, and even wallpaper can be destroyed silently without anyone even noticing, until it is too late. And most homeowners insurance policies do not cover termite damage.

In springtime, termites will come out of hiding in search of mates and to find new structures in which to establish new colonies which, if we are unlucky, may be our homes. Unfortunately, these insects can be hard to spot, so it is important for homeowners to know the signs of termite activity. The following is a list of the three top things to look out for:

  1. Discarded wings. These are usually found near closed windows, doors, and other access points. When termites swarm to start a new colony, they twist off their wings upon landing, because they will never use those wings again. These wings will be white in color and uniform in size.

  2. Mud Tubes. Where the ground meets your home, these pencil-sized mud tubes will be found if you have termites. To find out if these tubes are actively being used, break off a piece and then check it a few days later. If it has been repaired, you are looking at an active termite infestation.

  3. Wood damage. Termites chew through wood, leaving behind long grooves. Over time, these grooves weaken the wood and cause costly structural damage.

Some valuable tips to prevent a termite infestation:

  • Store firewood at least 20 feet from your home, and up off the ground.

  • Create an 18-inch gap around your home between soil and wood by using crushed rock or some other material.

  • Make sure there is no standing water near your home.

  • Replace weather-stripping and repair loose mortar around your foundation.

  • Repair soffits and rotted roof shingles

  • Repair any water leaks inside and outside your home.

  • Keep your home, especially the basement, attic, and crawl spaces, dry and well ventilated.

If you have done all you can to keep these home-destroying pests out, but you are seeing the signs of an infestation, consider having a termite inspection done. The sooner you get these creatures out of your home, the less cash you will have to shell out for repairs. Here at Russell’s Pest Control, we’ve been helping folks keep their homes pest free since 1971 and our pest control technicians have a Category 7 certification, which is classified as Industrial, Institutional, Structural Pest Control and Health-Related Pest Control. If you have a problem with termites, you can trust Russell’s Pest Control to give you industry-leading service and guaranteed protection.