Termites are one type of insect that many homeowners fear the most. A home can be infested with termites for a very long time unless the proper steps are taken to identify them. For this reason, many homeowners end up with an extremely large infestation that could have been controlled much more easily if it had only been found a few months prior. As your Tampa area pest control specialists, we’d like to offer you a list of a few things you can look for to determine whether or not termites have invaded your Florida home.
Strange Mud Tubes
Finding odd-looking tubes of mud running from the ground up past the foundation is one sure sign that you might have a termite infestation. These tubes are a kind of termite expressway in that they help the termites get from their food source (the wood) to their water source.
Termite Wings on the Ground Mean You Need Pest Control
It’s not unusual to find termites swarming, especially after a rainstorm. However, when termites are in the mating stage, their wings fall off afterwards, and before they burrow into the ground. A professional will be able to tell you if they are termite wings, or if you have another pest problem, such as flying ants.
Hollow-Sounding Wood
One of the reasons termites are so difficult to spot is because of the way they eat through wood. They don’t start from the outside and work their way in. Instead, they’ll burrow through to the inside of the wood in your home and begin making tunnels. After a period of time, when you tap on the wood, it will sound hollow, which is a pretty good indicator of a termite infestation.
Sawdust Piles
Drywood termites will frequently make tiny holes in wood, and then kick the droppings out onto the floor. If you’ve noticed piles of sawdust everywhere near the wood in your home, you probably have a termite infestation that needs attention immediately.
When it comes to getting rid of termites in homes in the Tampa area, Consolidated Pest Control is the company to call. With our professional service, and with careful inspection of your home, we’ll know exactly what to do to make your termite problem a thing of the past.
