Termites Awareness Week, typically held every second week of March, is a time for property owners and managers to strengthen their knowledge on how much destruction termites could do to properties and the importance of having properties checked regularly for these pests.

Facts about termites

Believe it or not, termites have been around since the time of the dinosaurs. They are insects that are very social and do nothing but eat 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Yes, their hunger knows no limit. They are also often called the “silent destroyers” as you would not even know your place is damaged to a great extent until you have it checked.

There are more than 2,000 different types of species of termites and some species lay about 30,000 eggs every single day. These insects start emerging usually in spring as they just love warm temperature and the rain. If your property is made of wood and it is always damp where you live, you will most likely be housing these pests and they could also be eating away your furniture.

How would you know that your house could be infested with these pests?

There are several ways to tell if termites have made your house their home. The first thing you will notice is that there are wings of small insects that have been discarded. You will find these near your doors and windows. Termites swarm out in order to start a new colony but they could only fly short distances. So, they lose their wings.

The next thing you should look out for are mud tubes about the size of a pencil that litter throughout the property. Termites build these tubes to block out cool and dry air. They simply love high humidity levels and mud tubes do the trick.

The third most common sign of termite infestation is the presence of hollow spaces or surfaces on the wooden parts of the house. You can test this by tapping on the walls or floor and listening for sounds that imply there is a hollow space beyond that structure. If you are unsure, call an expert.

How can you get rid of termites?

There are plenty of things you can do to prevent termites from living in your home such as not letting wood come into contact with soil or making sure that the roof does not leak. However, if they have infested your home already, you need to call in the experts. Pest control companies know where to look for termites. If you do it on your own, you could miss a spot and you will be facing the same problem after a short time. With the help of a reputable Modesto pest control Company, you can be sure that every affected square inch is covered by the treatment and the solution will be for the long term.