Every year, termites cause immense damage to the crops and infrastructure in Jacksonville, the United States. Homeowners spend thousands of dollars to repair the termite damage. But if you become cautious and hire the best exterminator in Jacksonville, they will control the damage beforehand and treat the termite infestations. Early detection of the termites is crucial in restricting the colony’s destructiveness scope, which an efficient pest-controlling company will make easy for you.
Termite season peaks in the spring when these pests come out of their colonies while searching for their mates and finding new places to create their nests. Thus, you must understand early termite infection signs like discarded wings or mud tubes. Identifying the damaging signs will help to save high extermination and repair costs.
Signs to spot the damage by termites
Below are some ways to detect early damage by termites.
Inspecting the wood that can be damaged
Remove a piece of wood from the infected place if you suspect termite infestation. Various species of termites leave different patterns on the damaged wood, which only the best exterminator in Jacksonville can identify.
- Subterranean termites like soft wood and eat the grain. It creates a distinct honeycomb pattern on the wood.
- Formosan termite is found in large numbers and is highly voracious. Their colonies can be millions in number and can cause immense damage to fences, homes, utility poles, and many other places if left unchecked.
- Dry wood termites remove large wooden chunks by chewing the grains and wood. Their colonies included members of only a few thousand, and it took many years to reach this. Even with such a high number, they can consume only half a pound of wood yearly.
Other signs of termite infestation
You can also find other termite infestation signs even if you cannot find the pests themselves. The signs include loose tiles, crumbling and damaged wood, sag or buckle, pinpoint drywall holes, hollow sounds in the woods when tapped, and many more. Besides these, other signs include:
- Termites can feast on shelter tubes that run from the soil to the wood above the ground. They survive on dead trees and are also used to make many abodes. The pests create enclosed and small tubes or passageways for safe access to your homes. The tubes usually contain soil, fecal matter, saliva, and other materials. According to the best exterminator in Jacksonville, these tubes indicate that the termites are alive and active.
- Dry wood termites primarily live inside wooden construction like furniture, hardwood floors, and structural timber. You cannot see them outside since they live inside the structure they feed on. They insert fecal pellets like frass outside their chambers and tunnels. The fecal matter is wood-colored mounds and gathers on the floor of the infested wood.
Check out the early signs
While conducting a home inspection from time to time, tap the wooden segments with a screwdriver. If there is a hollow wooden sound, it is damaged by the pest.
Distinguish termites in the house from other pests.
Termite is one pest species that can damage the wood. There are other beetles and carpenter ants also present that also devour wood. Thus, it is significant to identify if your home is infected by termites or any other pest by close examination. You can identify the termites in the following ways.
- Worker termites include soft bodies and are pale yellow. Beetles and carpenter ants include a hard exoskeleton and are yellow.
- Termites have straight antennae, but carpenter ants have elbowed antennae.
- Termites do not include any discernible waist in the segmented bodies. But carpenter ants include a distinct pedicle joining the thorax to the abdomen.
- Termites generally remain invisible, but you can determine which type has infected your house by evaluating the insect’s wings. When a termite colony becomes enormous, reproductive-winged termites will create a new colony. Termites include 2 pairs of wings of equal size. Carpenter ants, on the other hand, consist of longer front wings than the back ones. Beetles include a hard pair of wings to protect the wings for flight. The hard wings are the extension of their exoskeleton, and they fold them while flying.
Fixing the termite damage
You can fix the termite damages in your residence in the below ways.
Call a professional help if you have termites.
Instead of getting rid of the termites by you, allow the best exterminator in Jacksonville to handle this problem. Always select a cost-efficient company with a good track record and good reviews, and testimonials.
Removing the tree stumps and dead trees on your property
Decay wood is the best termite food material and can feed thousands of colonies. Eliminate any tree stump or dead tree from the yard. If you bring any wood from the yard for the fireplace, always check the signs of termite infestations like hollowed sound or holes in the wood.
Use treated wood for creating the structures.
The chemicals used for treating the wood act as a deterrent for the termites. Always treat the wood if creating something outside the pavilion, above the ground, or on the deck. It will prevent the termites from making any colonies.
Conclusion
Some people believe termites are ecologically advantageous in breaking the detritus and adding the necessary nutrients to the soil. But this feeding behavior can also cause great damage to human beings and their homes. It can make your above unlivable till you have to conduct expensive repairs. However, calling the best exterminator in Jacksonville before time will help you save all the difficulties and spend a fortune on repairs. So, identify the early termite signs and call the best pest-controlling agency.
