Spring is a season we all wait for here in Wichita – the sun starts to shine, the flowers start to bloom, and the termites come out to feast. Well, that last one isn’t necessarily the best thing to happen in spring. In fact, it can be one of the worst things that happen to your home. Termite infestations show up during the weeks following winter, when those destructive, home debilitating chewers swarm innocent houses, form new colonies, and terrorize children and pets. The solution? Hire a certified termite Inspection Wichita KS provider.
Yes, it can get that bad with a termite infestation.
Termites cause more property damage than flooding, tree damage, and leaks combined. Part of this is because homeowner’s insurance policies do not cover any of the damages. There is even a Termite Awareness Week to help people understand the early warning signs of termite damage.
The thing you have to know about termites is that they are active 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all throughout spring and summer. They feed on the cellulose found in structural wood, eating until there is nothing left.
Often, termites aren’t detected until it’s too late, so it is critical that you get someone out, like Patton Exterminating, a trusted termite Inspection Wichita KS company, to inspect your home on an annual basis – the sooner, the better.
The first step in preventing any termite infestation is recognizing that you have a problem. Termites work from the inside out, meaning you won’t really see the signs obviously. Most of the time, the damage is done by the time people notice anything.
There are numerous species of termites in the U.S. Subterranean termites live underground or in moist, secluded areas aboveground, as many as two million termites to a colony. Each measuring up to one inch in length, these cream-colored termites travel along distinctive “mud tubes” through foundation cracks and expansion joints, along plumbing and electrical penetrations, behind veneer and anywhere wood meets the ground.
Dampwood termites infest wood with high moisture content. Conehead termites, also known as “tree termites,” are an invasive species native to the Caribbean. Drywood termites infest dry wood and do not require contact with the soil.
TERMITES
Patton Exterminating’s termite inspection experts in Wichita KS give tips for homeowners
Once you find your home has an infestation, it is time for professional help. There are two major methods of elimination, which we can educate you on to make the best choice.
Here are some prevention tips that we like to share with our customers:
- Carefully look around your home for mud tubes and rotting wood
- Make sure you clean out your gutters and downspouts so that they are unclogged and won’t drip on your foundation.
- Repair damaged roof shingles and tiles.
- Keep basements, attics, crawl spaces, mud rooms, and garages well ventilated and dry.
- Maintain a one-inch gap between soil and wood portions of the home.
- Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the house and before bringing it indoors, check the wood for pests.
If you need help with pests, or if you need a trusted and reliable termite inspection Wichita KS company, you can trust us at Patton Exterminating. Locally owned, family operated, with over 100 years of experience in professional pest control! Give us a call today!