There are many pests in South Carolina that garner our attention quickly, for instance, we know for sure when there are mice in our home. Termites are a little different because they are considered “silent invaders” and we seldom know that they are living within our walls until significant damage has been done to our home. Understanding termites, and knowing what to do if your home is infested is a very important step in preventing damages to your home. And, since Termite Awareness Week this week (March 11-17), there is all the more reason to sit up and pay attention to the warning signs, and how you can get rid of termites completely.
Outdoors termites will feed on dead trees that have fallen, stumps, plants, and generally any material containing cellulose. They live in massive colonies and sub-colonies that are driven by the need to take care of their own kind and eat continuously on cellulose. Inside homes, they will be drawn to wood that is moist or has been damaged by water, but really all wood is at risk for termite damage. Termites are very hard to detect because all of their work is underground or inside the wood they have infested. They eat away at the wood as they tunnel through it, and that can cause it to become hollow and weaken it. The damage to a home can be massive, including bowing, dipping, warping, and even complete collapse. Although they are a danger to a structure, they are not known to cause illnesses in people.
The most effective way to eliminate and avoid a termite infestation is by contacting a professional pest service. However, here are a few tips to help you get you started on protecting your home from termites:
- Keep firewood stacked away from the exterior of your home
- Keep gutters free of debris so that rainwater can flow freely away from your home
- Keep soil away from wood and from touching the siding of your home
- Keep your home dry by using a dehumidifier or air conditioning unit
- Seal off any entry points that termites can get in through like cracks in the foundation
- Repair or replace, damaged or missing screens, vents, siding or shingles
In Greenville, South Carolina, you can count on Spencer Pest Services to get rid of termites on your property. Our experienced, trained technicians and highly effective technology will eliminate termites and prevent them from becoming a problem again in the future. It is so much better to put a termite prevention plan into place now before any termite damage has been done than to wait until after the costly damage has been done to your home. Give us a call to protect your greatest investment today!
