We save and sacrifice to scrape enough money together to purchase a home. Homeownership is part of what many call the "American dream." The ability to own a piece of land with a dwelling place gives one a sense of pride, security, and hopefully, an investment that will pay off in the future. The last thing you want is for termites to compromise the structure.
If you have seen termites or what you think could be termites around your home, don't take a chance; instead, contact The Bay Area pest control experts from Bay Pest Solution Inc. We have been protecting the fine people of the Bay Area for 40 years; we know how to stop termites from destroying home.
How To Identify Termite Damage
Unless you see a swarm of termites on your property, you may not know they are present. While you may not see termites, the following are evidence of termite damage:
- Blistering paint
- Warping doors and frames
- Crunching sounds underneath when walking across the floor
- Sagging corners of rooms
- Hollow-sounding and darkening wood
Other signs of termites include holes in wood structures, discarded wings around windows and light sources, and piles of sawdust-looking debris outside of tiny holes in the wood.
Why Termites Infest And Destroy Wooden Structures
There are two types of termites in the Bay Area: subterranean and drywood. Wood buildings attract both termite species because the cellulose fibers in the wood provide nutrition. Structures with rotting, moist wood near leaky pipes, in direct contact with the ground, or in areas of poor drainage or ventilation grow fungus-producing termite-attracting odors. Fungal aromas alert the termites that the wood is easy to penetrate and eat; certain fungi provide nitrogen for the termite's diet. Subterranean termites destroy moist, rotting wood in the structures as they create nests and consume the wood for food.
Termite infestations in the Bay Area from drywood termites are due to homes with poorly ventilated attics. Unlike subterranean termites, rotting, moist wood does not attract drywood termites. Instead, moisture in the wood is sufficient for them to survive, whereas subterranean termites get fluid primarily from the soil or moisture source near the wood (e.g., a leaky pipe). Because drywood termites do not require excessive moisture, they feed on the attic support beams, trusses and joists, and the timber inside walls. Anything with cellulose attracts drywood termites. Because they eat the wood and leave only a thin exterior layer, you hear crunching when you walk over wood infested with drywood termites.
Factors That Attract Termites To Your Home
Excessive moisture on the property and in the house causes a termite problem. Many homeowners do not realize that the following attract termites to their property and homes:
- Tree stumps and buried lumber on the property
- Unpainted and unprotected fence posts
- Wood landscaping timbers in contact with the ground
- Firewood stored in direct contact with the soil
- Poorly ventilated crawlspace, basement, or attic
An infestation of subterranean termites in Bay Area homes begins when they find rotting wood on the property. After the colony has grown to a sufficient size, reproductive termite swarms are dispatched in the spring or fall to find locations for new colonies; nearby homes with humid areas are prime targets for new nests.
An invasion of drywood termites begins with infested furniture brought into the home or when reproductives from a swarm settle on the property. Once on site, the reproductive termites enter the house through small holes in window and door frames or unscreened attic vents.
The Best Thing To Do If You Spot Signs Of Termite Damage
If you see signs of termites inside your house, take action before they cause significant structural and financial damage. Termites account for over 5 billion dollars in property damage in the United States. Remember, most homeowners' policies do not cover termite damage!
Although some think they can battle termites with do-it-yourself methods, professional termite removal is the best and safest option to ensure the elimination of termites. In the case of subterranean termites, DIY products often fail to destroy the primary termite colony, which is typically outside the structure. In general, the products fail to eradicate termite nests.
Bay Pest Solution Inc. is the solution for termite problems in The Bay Area. We will identify which termite species (drywood or subterranean) is damaging your house, develop a custom plan targeting the areas of infestations, and start eliminating the termites using environmentally safe methods. Contact us today and schedule your free inspection with the termite specialists for your Bay Area property: Bay Pest Solution Inc.