How Do You Keep Termites Away From Your Chesapeake Residence

If you thought having ungrateful houseguests was bad enough, try having ungrateful houseguests who don’t leave, never pay rent, and eat up your house for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Before you think that scenario sounds farfetched, it’s actually a reality for many homeowners who are in the throes of a raging termite infestation.

These tiny tenants aren’t known as “silent destroyers” for nothing. In fact, most homeowners have no idea that their residence is infested with any pest at all, let alone termites. And these insects are on a mission to quietly and systematically chew their way through the foundation and wooden structures of your home without a second thought. They have the potential to cause colossal damage resulting in expensive repair bills. 

And if never addressed, these tiny tyrants can weaken the structural integrity of your foundation to the brink of collapse. So, if you didn’t take a termite problem seriously before, this bit of information should certainly perk you up and motivate you to take action if you suspect pest activity on your property. After all, you wouldn’t want this insect team of decorators working tirelessly to renovate your home without your approval, would you?

Fortunately, our team at Hawk Mosquito and Pest is just as dedicated to our own mission, which is to save our residents’ structures from the ravages of different kinds of termites. We’re well-equipped to take on the immense challenge of tackling your pest dilemma without batting an eye. Read on to learn more about termites and how Chesapeake pest control experts can eliminate them now and keep them from coming back in the future. 

Termites in Chesapeake Are Very Common

Chesapeake offers the ideal warm, and humid climate termites crave. In fact, their survival and growth depend on easy access to moisture, which this city has in abundance. These tiny insects are notorious for causing damage to wooden structures and compromising the stability of all types of structures. Both subterranean and drywood termites pose a significant threat to the residents of our city.

These insects feed on the cellulose found in wood, which is the main component of plant cell walls. A variety of materials in homes contain this material, such as wood, paper, and cardboard. Cellulose provides all the nutrients termites need to survive and reproduce. Their digestive systems are ready to break down and digest this tough, fibrous substance. Needless to say, the presence of cellulose makes your home an attractive target for their next pit stop. 

These pests are also known for their stealth and efficiency, as they can quietly destroy wooden structures from the inside out without making a sound. That’s why it’s critical to recognize the signs of termites in your home and to take immediate action to protect your property. Some clues to be on the lookout for include the following:

• Swarming termites: During the spring and summer months, termites may swarm in large numbers near windows and light fixtures.
• Hollow-sounding wood: Tap on wood structures and listen for a hollow sound, which may indicate that the inside has been eaten away by termites.
• Discarded wings: Termites shed their wings after they mate and establish a new colony, so you may find their shed wings near window sills or other light sources.
• Droppings: Termite excrement, also known as frass, looks like sawdust or coffee grounds and may accumulate near the location of termite activity.

You may also start seeing visible tunnels or mazes appearing in your wood, which is evidence of termites chewing pathways inside your furniture, walls, or other structures. Preventative measures, like regular inspections, proper ventilation, moisture control, and the use of termite-resistant materials, can all help to reduce the risk of termite damage.

If you're dealing with a termite infestation, seek the guidance and services of home pest control professionals like Hawk Mosquito and Pest, who specialize in termite control. These experts can quickly identify the type of termite, assess the extent of the damage, and provide a comprehensive treatment plan to eliminate the problem.

Factors That Can Attract Termites To Your Home

Termites are attracted to homes for a variety of reasons, so it’s important for you to understand these factors to help thwart a termite invasion. One of the most common attractants is moisture. These critters require a moist environment to survive and thrive. That’s why they prefer to be in areas with warm temperatures and high humidity levels. So, if you have leaking pipes, poorly ventilated areas, or inadequate drainage systems, don’t delay addressing these issues quickly to prevent termites from coming around.

Also, termites regularly dine on the organic cellulose commonly found in wood and other plant materials. Homes with wooden structures, such as the frame, floors, and walls, are particularly attractive to termites. They also like other cellulose-based products, such as paper, cardboard, and even wallpaper paste. Cluttered basements, attics, or garages typically contain an ample food supply for termites to devour.

Termites are excellent at constructing and forming tunnels, which they use to enter homes via small cracks and crevices in the foundation or walls. Homes with poor or damaged foundations, or those with openings around windows, doors, or pipes, are more likely to draw termites.

Therefore, to prevent infestations, it's essential to eliminate sources of moisture, reduce the amount of wood in direct contact with soil, maintain good ventilation and insulation, and keep food sources away from the foundation of your home. Regular inspections by a professional termite control company can also help identify potential problem areas and provide timely solutions to protect your home from these highly destructive insects.

Tips To Make Your Home Less Appealing To Termites

Making your home less appealing to termites is the number one way to prevent termite invasions. Here are some simple tips on how to do just that:

• Reduce moisture levels: Repair leaky pipes, maintain good ventilation in crawl spaces and attics, and ensure proper drainage systems are in place.
• Eliminate food sources: Remove or limit your use of as many cellulose-based products as you can, such as wallpaper adhesive, cardboard, and paper.
• Use termite-resistant materials: Building or renovating your home with termite-resistant materials, such as concrete blocks, steel, or treated wood, can help keep termites at bay.
• Elevate your wood materials and supplies: Termites typically infest wood that makes contact with soil. Try to replace wooden fence posts with metal or concrete, and elevate wooden structures like decks, porches, and sheds off the ground to prevent them from touching the ground.

Make sure to seal any visible breaches that termites can use to gain access into your home, like cracks, holes, and crevices in the walls or foundation. Also, check for openings around windows, doors, and pipes. Use silicone caulk or expanding foam to plug up any gaps. It's also a good practice to regularly examine your home. 

However, hiring experienced pest specialists like Hawk Mosquito and Pest to conduct property inspections for you is even better. They’ll be more thorough and check areas the average homeowner may overlook. Experts advise scheduling inspections at least once a year and more than that if you reside in a location with a high risk of termite activity.

Termites in Chesapeake Are Very Common

Getting rid of termites from your home can be a challenging task, but it’s essential to protect your property from their damaging effects. Some people decide to use baiting systems, which involve the placement of small stations around your home that contain a slow-acting toxicant that termites can feed on. Over time, the insects transport this substance back to their colony, killing the entire population. Baiting systems are not just effective, but they’re an environmentally friendly way to get rid of termites.

Chemical termiticides are another option that is applied to the soil around your property, creating an invisible barrier that termites can't cross. This prevents them from reaching any of the wooden structures on or inside your home. Although people find success using this method, it can be hazardous to the environment as well as your household. If you're looking for a more eco-friendly solution, excavating the soil surrounding your property to remove termite colonies is an option. However, as effective as this method is, it's extremely costly and labor-intensive.

Out of all the methods you can think of to eliminate a termite infestation on your property, the best one is right at your fingertips. Experienced pest specialists have the background, knowledge, and skills to accurately pinpoint termite colonies and wipe them out fast. They have access to the latest termite treatments, products, and technology to handle the most challenging situation.

At Hawk Mosquito and Pest, we truly care about the health and safety of our Chesapeake residents and strive to create peaceful environments where pests are the last thing on your mind. We treat every situation uniquely, meaning we'll work with you to develop the most appropriate treatment plan that suits your needs and lifestyle. We also offer eco-friendly options that you can feel good about, guaranteed. Get in touch with us today so we can begin working on your complimentary estimate.