Protecting Your Wood: What are the Signs of Termite Damage in Elk Grove?

Would it surprise you to learn that termites damage an estimated 600,000 structures in the US each year? Even worse than that is most homeowners’ policies don’t actually cover termites damage. 

This results in US homeowners spending a whopping $5 billion out of pocket to cover termite damage. 

So, how can you avoid facing all the damage termites can create? What signs of termite damage should you watch for?

Read on to learn more about termites, the damage they can cause in your home, and how to approach repairing termite damage. 

Recognize The Signs Of Termite Damage

Termites have a voracious appetite for eating wood. Because many American homes are made of wood, the termites come calling. 

Since they are such big eaters, the damage they can cause when a colony gets settled can be significant. 

The good news is that while termites feast away, they leave some clues about their presence. So, what signs should you look for to recognize termite damage in your property?

Performing regular and careful inspections of your property could help you notice these signs of termite damage:

• Termites are known to eat through the center of wood leaving it hollow so when you knock on the wood you hear the hollow sound
• Bubble paint  or peeling paint along the base of walls
• Small holes in the drywall where termites have eaten their way in
• Wood damage that causes jammed doors or windows
• The appearance of what looks like water damage
• Foundation damage especially where it connects with wood
• Baseboards that crumble when pushed on 
• What appears like lines on the drywall from the termites eating and moving
• Infested wood may look darker or take on the appearance of being stained
• Dirty wall from the termites moving through dirt and tracking it on walls

Watch especially closely in the spring when it’s not uncommon to see swarms of termites. 

Get To Know The Enemy

While one termite may take centuries to cause any visible damage to your home, there is never just one. In fact, like ants, termites are social creatures that live in colonies together. 

In the colony, like bees, they each have roles to fulfill. Unlike bees, where the male dies shortly after mating, the male termites play a role in raising their young. The male is even present after the young hatch and he helps to feed them predigested food. 

Much of the termite colony is made up of worker soldiers. Interestingly, these workers are blind but will eat voraciously. If they sense danger for the colony, they will come and pound their heads against the walls of the colony to warn the others. 

The termites also use their sense of smell to communicate with each other. The pheromones they release help provide communication for others in the colony. 

It might surprise you to learn that termites can actually do good when they aren’t chewing on the wood in your house. In the termites’ gut, they have special microorganisms capable of breaking down cellulose. 

This is how they’re able to eat through wood. It’s also how they can actually be helping out in nature. They use the microorganisms to break down tough plant fibers, recycling dead and decaying trees which turn into new soil.  

What Will Attract Termites To Your Home?

If termites could live out in nature and leave your house alone, why don’t they? What attracts the termites to come and set up their colony in your home?

The simple fact is that termites like wood. Different varieties of termites like different types of wood. Yet, they all are attracted to wood. 

They will, especially like wood that is wet or damp. Often, the first contact they have with your home is wood that connects to the foundation, especially if there is dirt close by.

Just like other unwanted critters, termites will look for openings that they see as an invitation to come into your home. Even the most minuscule crack in your foundation will invite the possibility of a termite coming in to find wood to start eating. 

Pest Control Services For Termite Control

If you live in Elk Grove and are concerned about the possibility of termites in your home, it’s time to get pest control services involved. 

The first thing we will do is come to your home and do an in-depth inspection of your home. We are experts at recognizing the signs that you have a termite problem. 

If you have a colony that’s taken up residence, we will find it. We will make every effort to collect specimens from a termite swarm. Once we have this, we can identify the type of termite and can develop a plan to address the infestation. 

We will work to use the strategic application of termiticide to get rid of the swarm in your home. 

Can Termite Damage Be Repaired?

Yes, termite repairing termite damage is possible. But you want to approach the problem the right way. 

If you recognize signs of termites, it might be your first instinct to get it repaired. You’re fighting a losing battle until you address actually getting rid of the colony of termites. 

Get Elk Grove pest control services on sight to inspect your property and address the infestation. Once you’re sure that’s been handled, then you can work to address the potential damage they caused. 

Know The Signs Of Termite Damage In Your Elk Grove Property

It’s important to recognize the signs of termite damage if you have it in your home. You don’t want to leave the termites to continue eating and wreaking havoc with the structure of your home. 

If you’ve seen signs of termite damage, we can help. Contact us today to set up your in-home inspection.