Termites are a wildly invasive and destructive species, causing billions of dollars of damage a year. To better understand how termites might enter your Forney home undetected, let’s learn about why termites enter your home in the first place.
Why Do Termites Enter Your Home?
Termites enter a home in search of a food source, water, and shelter to build a termite colony.
Once they find these necessities, they quickly multiply and can become fixed in your house quicker than you think. As the colony grows, swarmer termites may leave in search of other places to colonize, expanding the infestation around your home.
Where Do Termites Hide?
Once in your home, termites find places to hide in the structure of your home. They might hide in cardboard storage boxes, furniture and baseboards, garages, kitchen cabinets, damaged roofs, and wooden counters.
They feed on cellulose, which is an organic compound found in wood, plants, paper, cardboard, and cotton fibers. Homes are filled with these objects and are perfect for termite infestations.
How Do Termites Enter Homes?
Each termite species enters your home differently, which is why it is hard to completely cut off all entry methods.
Dampwood Termites
Dampwood termites get their name from their attraction to wet wood. They infest soaked wet wood, moist wood, and decayed wood. If you bring infested lumber into your house, that is likely how they got inside.
These termites may also infest mulch. If you have a porch light near your door and you leave your door open often, termite swarmers might use that entryway. Dampwood termites are drawn to light and tend to swarm near light sources.
Drywood Termites
Aptly named, drywood termites live in dry wood and require no connection with the soil. The moisture they need comes from the sound wood they infest. They can evade detection for years because their swarmers fly directly to the wood they infest.
A few common entry points for drywood termites include the attic, unscreened foundation vents, and cracks around windows and door frames. Infested furniture brought into the home is another common culprit.
Subterranean Termites
Subterranean termites often gain property access through mud tubes that worker termites create. They feed on rotting wood, stumps, branches, and fallen trees. In that vein, keep an eye out for vegetation near your home as this is another means of entry.
Signs of a Termite Infestation
There are many signs of a termite infestation. If you suspect a pest infestation, look and listen for the following common signs:
- Clicking noises
- Knocking noises
- Doors and windows that are stuck and hard to open
- Hollow-sounding wood
- Termite droppings or frass
- Small holes in the wood
- Visible tunnels in the wood
- Termite swarmers and discarded wings
Professional Termite Control and Extermination
Seek professional help right away when you notice signs of termites! Knowing how termites enter your home is only the first step. If they are not dealt with, they will cause extensive and costly damage the longer they infest your property. In some cases, the damage is irreparable.
Our team is licensed and skilled at eliminating your termite problem promptly. They are on hand to administer top-of-the-line treatments with quality tools and professionalism throughout. Call us now for a free estimate!
