Different creatures eat different things. Most animals are predictable and live off the same food groups, like grains, sugars, and proteins. Termites are a bit different. These small home-invading bugs consume cellulose, a component found in wood and other plant growth. If your Baton Rouge property is even party made out of wood, then termites could be a huge problem.

Thankfully, these pests are preventable with a little bit of knowledge or a great local termite service like DAT Exterminating. Here is everything you need to know to keep these pests off your Hammond property, including one secret prevention tip.

 

Why Termites Invade Properties

Termites are insects that feed on cellulose to survive. They get the majority of their cellulose intake from sources of water-damaged wood. If you have a dead stump, fallen tree, or organic debris around your property, these pests might build a nest nearby to eat it up. If, while doing this, they find out your home, outbuildings, or deck has sections of water-damaged wood as well, they will invade further.

How Destructive Are Termites?

Termites will not destroy your home in a week. They can’t even destroy your home in a month. It takes several months for these pests to start causing significant damage. Keeping this in mind, most homeowners do not notice termite infestations until severe structural problems present themselves. Why? Because termites are quiet.

Unlike other pests like ants, cockroaches, and beetles, termites do not come out into the open. They live the entirety of their lives underground or inside a structure of wood. The only time you might see a termite inside your home is when they are swarming, and at this point, structural damage has almost certainly already occurred.

Some Prevention Tips For Termites

To prevent termites around your Hammond property, you have to do two things: remove things they might eat and limit their access to your home and outbuildings. Here are some helpful prevention tips to help you do just that:

  • Remove dead stumps and fallen trees from your property.
  • Clean up leaf litter, sticks, and other organic clutter from your yard.
  • Address leaky faucets and piping.
  • Use a dehumidifier indoors to keep moisture levels to a minimum.
  • Repair or replace structural wood inside your home and outbuildings that are damaged by water, rot, or decay.
  • Seal holes, gaps, and cracks in your home’s exterior foundation.

Signs Of A Termite Infestation

Something every homeowner should know is how to identify termites on their property. Unfortunately, most signs of a termite infestation come after they have started causing damage. To ensure your property is not currently being destroyed by invading termites, here are seven things to look out for:

  1. Mud tubes running up your home’s exterior
  2. Live swarmers or their wings inside your living areas
  3. Tight-fitting doors and windows
  4. Overly squeaky floors and stairs
  5. Discolored moisture spots on walls, ceilings, and floors
  6. Water damaged drywall
  7. Hollow sounding wood

How To Eliminate Termites

When it comes to termites, it is better to be safe than sorry. If your home does not already have professional termite control, today is your day to invest. At DAT Exterminating, we offer detailed services to identify these destructive pests, eliminate infestations, and control future problems before they occur.

Our team is committed to your home’s protection and will go out of their way to ensure you are given the care and treatments you need to guard your investments from destructive termites. Call us today if you have any questions about our termite control and schedule your Hammond property for a detailed service visit. We offer residential as well as commercial pest management services.