Termites

Termites are destructive pests known for causing significant damage to wooden structures. Often referred to as “silent destroyers,” they can go undetected while feeding on wood, weakening the foundation of your home.

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Termites are one of the most concerning pests that homeowners will ever encounter. They cause billions of dollars in damage in both Canada and the United States each year. And unfortunately, most of those damages are not covered by your average house insurance.

The Swarm

The most visible way to tell if you have a termite infestation is what’s called a “swarm”. It’s when multiple winged and darkened termites will come out of the ground to find a new mate and a new home.

This typically happens in the springtime on a warm day. And often the signs of a swarm are just the discarded wings that are left behind from the termites that have gone underground.

Signs of a Termite Infestation

Some other signs of a termite infestation are actually on wood, as they eat wood from the inside out. You can often find that the wood sounds hollow when you tap on it.

Another sign is what’s called mud or shelter tubes. These are protective tunnels that the termites use to travel back and forth between the ground and the food supply.

Termites are not the only insects that swarm, ants do as well. It’s important to tell the difference between the two because termites cause structural issues whereas most ants do not.

The Difference Between Ants and Termites

There are three ways to tell the difference between a termite and an ant.

The first one is the antennae. Ants have bent, elbow-like antennae, while termites have relatively straight antennae.

Both insects have four wings, however, termites have four wings of equal length and ants have shorter wings.

The third and most visible way to tell the difference between the two is the shape of their bodies. Termites have a thick robust body whereas ants have a constriction at the abdomen which looks like a waist.

Seek Professional Advice

If you suspect that you have a termite infestation it is best to seek advice from a pest professional. Termite infestations are not something that you can treat on your own.

Preventing Termite Infestations

Here are some tips to reduce the likelihood of a termite infestation.

-Inspect your home regularly.

This will give you a good visual indication of what’s going on around your home.

-Eliminate moisture and standing water.

Reduce any moisture sources. This could be a leaky faucet, standing water, or gutters or downspouts that are clogged.

-Throw away wood debris.

Another tip is to clean and remove any wood debris that may be around your home. You also want to make sure to store firewood away from your home. A 20-foot separation is recommended.

-Separate mulch from home’s foundation.

Make sure that mulch is not excessively piled up around the foundation of the home.

-Trim vegetation around the home.

It is a good idea to leave an inspection space around your home to see if mud tubes are being built.