Do You Have Termites? Here’s What to Look For
Did you know March 8-14, 2020 is Termite Awareness Week?
While most people have never heard of this “holiday” week, it’s right up our alley. Here at Brody Brothers, we’re dedicated to always keeping our customers — and our larger Baltimore community — educated about the potential pests in their home.
Many of our customers who come to us with a termite infestation — and the resulting damage — tell us they wish they’d known more about them ahead of time.
They wish they’d known the telltale signs of termites — and the importance of having a thorough termite inspection of their home each year.
A recent survey by the National Pest Management Association found that:
- 38% of U.S. adults worry about coming across termites in their home
- 33% have (or know someone who has) experienced termite damage
- Yet more than half (52%) of Americans have never had their homes inspected for termites
As the weather warms up and termites become more active, now is the perfect time to brush up on your termite knowledge.
So, in honor of Termite Awareness Week, here’s what you need to know about termite treatment in Baltimore.
Signs You Have Termites
By the time you notice the evidence of termites on your property or inside your home, they’ve likely been on the premises for a while.
Some termite species burrow into wooden structures, while others primarily live underground. If you know what to look for, you can discover these tough-to-detect intruders before they’ve done significant damage.
Be on the lookout for these common warning signs you’ve got termites:
- Strained and fragile wooden or laminate floorboards
- Loose tiles
- Unusually squeaky floorboards
- Crumbling, damaged wood
- Discolored or suddenly damaged drywall
- Peeling paint (this can often resemble water damage)
- Wood that produces a hollow sound when you tap it
- Tiny holes in drywall
- Windows or doors that keep sticking
- Long, winding patterns in furniture, floorboards or walls
- Mysterious small piles of a substance that looks like salt and pepper (often, this is the result of drywood termite pellets)
- Discarded wings
- Mud tubes climbing the foundation of your home (made of small pieces of soil and wood, these protect termites from predators and dry environments as they move between their food sources and
nests)
The Species to Know as You Seek Termite Treatment in Baltimore
Did you know there are about 2000 different species of termites?
If that sounds overwhelming, don’t worry — as you search for termite treatment in Baltimore, the four types you’re most likely facing are: dampwood, drywood, Formosan and subterranean.
Dampwood Termites
One of the larger termite species, these pests often live in heavily forested areas and seek out wood with plenty of moisture.
Formosan Termites
Sometimes called “super termites,” this aggressive termite species lives in huge underground colonies — with up to 350,000 members — and constructs elaborate mud nests in the ground.
Subterranean Termites
This termite species is the most destructive. They live in underground colonies with as many as two million members. Their powerful jaws equip them to eat wood 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Drywood Termites
Slightly rarer in the Baltimore area, these critters prefer extremely dry wood — like the wood found in the foundation of your attic, for instance. They live in colonies of up to 2,500 members, and when there’s a sudden rise in temperature, you’ll find them swarming your property.
How to Prevent Termites
There are several steps you can take as a property owner to head off termite infestations.
You should start by eliminating or reducing moisture in and around your home — getting rid of the living quarters termites are constantly seeking out.
By installing well-functioning downspouts, gutters, splash blocks, and more, you can also redirect water away from your home’s foundation. Be sure to reduce the humidity in any crawl spaces by making sure it’s properly ventilated.
Meanwhile, you can also trim vines, bushes, and hedges to make sure they’re not blocking any vents. Remove old form boards, grade stakes, tree trunks and roots near your home, as they’re very hospitable to termites.
Finally, maintain an 18-inch gap between soil and any wood portions of your home. Remember to inspect the foundation of your home for any signs of termite damage.
Homeowners Insurance and Termite Treatment Options
Another important truth to know — most homeowner’s insurance does not cover termite damage or termite treatment in Baltimore. Instead, insurance carriers often classify most pest infestations, and resulting damage, as maintenance issues.
It’s yet another important reason to become educated about termite treatment in Baltimore.
As a homeowner, it’s incredibly difficult to effectively treat a termite infestation on your own. Pest control professionals possess the training, expertise, and technology to take care of your termite issues the first time. It’s not an ideal time for trial-and-error, do-it-yourself treatment approaches.
Call Brody Brothers Today
Here at Brody Brothers, we can quickly zero in on which type of local termites you’re dealing with and can recommend a customized course of action. Depending on the size of your infestation, the termite species present, and your home’s construction and design, the best treatment methods can be completely different.
We bring you highly effective treatment options for all pest issues, including the most pervasive termites.
When you call on us to treat your termite infestation issues, you’ll receive:
- A total termite inspection
- Installation of the Sentricon® Termite Colony Elimination System
- Regular monitoring for termite activity
- Continual maintenance on all Sentricon® Systems
- 3D Comparison of the Sentricon® System and Liquid Termite Treatment
Our treatment to termite control effectively eliminates termite infestations and prevents new termite colonies from being established.
Many of our customers are happy to learn these termite treatments typically will take a single day, at the most.
Contact us so we can assess your property. We’ll then develop a comprehensive termite control solution to eliminate the current termite population — and, just as importantly, prevent any future infestations.
Depending on the specifics of your case, we may use a combination of termite control treatments, from liquid and foam to bait.
With our residential or commercial termite control plan, you’ll also get follow-up inspections and monitoring to keep home or commercial property protected.
