Termites - How to prevent them and how to spot them
Found in 49 states, termites are a national problem that can cause significant damage to your home. Each year they cause billions of dollars in damage in the U.S. Protect your home against these destructive insects by taking the following steps.
Make sure water does not pool around the foundation of your home or on your roof
Address moisture problems in basement and crawlspace areas
Seal all cracks, crevices and joints to prevent termites from entering
Don't store firewood or wood debris against foundations or inside crawlspaces.
Use mulch sparingly, especially if you already have termites or other conducive conditions
You should also consider having a annual termite inspection of your home.
How do you know if you have active termites in your home? Here are a few signs of termite activity.
Discolored or drooping drywall
Wood that sounds hollow when tapped
Buckling wooden or laminate floor boards
Blisters in wood flooring (looks like water damage)
Mud Tubes found wherever the ground meets your home or another food source
Crumbling, damaged wood
These photos are from one of our projects, where we found extensive termite damage. We even found live termites in a few spots.
