Signs that your home is infested with termites

There are many circumstances that may bring termites to your home. Perhaps you have several neglected tree stumps in your back yard, or your compost pile has grown out of hand. Perhaps your home is particularly old. Sometimes it's a simple matter of just not seeing them until it's too late. If your home is infested with termites, you needn't worry. In most cases it's just a simple matter of contacting your termite control Florida center and hiring a specialist to look over your home.

What are some signs that your home is infested with termites? The most prominent sign are the presence of winged termites in the open areas of your home. Oftentimes many accidentally think that these creatures are winged ants. However, their bodies are longer and narrower, without the typical hourglass shaped waist an ant possesses. Their antenna are also straight rather than curved, and their wings are all one length.

These winged termites typically emerge to find a partner and mate. During this stage they are unable to consume wood, carpet fiber, or paper. If you find them, it's usually a simple matter to vacuum them up.  However, this doesn't mean that you've necessarily killed of all of the termites in your home. If you discover small tunnels crafted of earth, particularly in exposed wooden areas of your home such as the walls in your attic or basement, it's time to consult a termite control Florida specialist.

In some cases, the termite control Florida specialist may install special traps throughout your home. These traps distribute a slow acting poison among the worker termites, which are then spread through the rest of the colony. He or she may also spray any obvious areas with a toxic dust, then seal the tunnels to prevent termites from moving elsewhere. In other cases, he or she may inject pesticides into the ground where termites enter from the outside.

Treating termites is a slow process and it pays to be patient. Fortunately, you needn't worry about the termites causing too much harm, as it takes a considerable amount of time for them to make any serious structural damage. There is always the chance that a new colony may form. This is why, after undergoing treatment, it's a wise investment to have regular inspections from your termite control Florida center.

There are also measures you can take to prevent this from happening again. For example, you could replace your deck with termite resistant wood, such as sequoia, juniper, or cypress. You may also wish to consider reinforcing certain vulnerable areas with concrete to prevent reentry. In taking the right precautions, you will be able to keep your home and family safe. Learn more about termite control Florida centers today!