Seeing termites in your home? However, it should not surprise you. Besides, termites are common pests you can encounter in different parts of the world. Nonetheless, termites can cause significant damage to property structures. By the same token, it is imperative that you take the right steps immediately if termites infest your home. Calling a pest control service in Ajax is always your bet for dealing with a termite infestation successfully. Ignoring a termite infestation in your home can eventually prove very harmful to your property and, at times, your family.
Furthermore, we shall tell you in this post in detail what termites are and what they look like. Plus, we shall tell you what is attracting termites to your home again and again.
What Are Termites and What Do They Look Like
Termites are small, social insects that feed on dead or decaying wood. In terms of appearance, they vary from species to species. The most common type of termite in homes is the subterranean termite, typically pale yellow-brown. They have long antennae, but their eyes are not visible because their heads have short or no veins.
Termites generally have four wings of equal length, but some swarming termites may have two branches that are longer than the other two. While they may look similar to ants due to their size and segmented bodies, it’s easy to tell them apart since ants often have very distinctive eyes and even a distinguishable “waist.”
Why Are Termites Attracted to Your Home
Termites can be a nuisance if they decide to move into your home. A prime factor in their attraction is the abundance of wood and cellulose-based products they can feed on – anything from furniture to walls and floors. They’re even attracted by damp or moist areas, mainly where there has been some water damage or where leaks have occurred.
High temperatures and excessive humidity levels around foundations also draw termites closer. Trees, stumps, and piles of garden debris such as twigs, bark, and leaves may provide a connection for termites to enter your home inconspicuously.
By understanding why these pests attract your residence, you can take preventative measures such as eliminating excess moisture from the affected area, redirecting fuel sources away from the house, and calling termite control services a pest control service in Ajax for a better solution.
Why Termites Keep Coming Back to Your Home
If you have found yourself dealing with termite infestations multiple times, there are likely factors in and around your home that make it particularly attractive to these wood-eating pests. While some homes may naturally attract more termites due to their location, it’s essential to look into what might make your house an easy target if the infestations keep coming back. Moisture is a big draw for these bugs, so check your property for areas where water could accumulate or leak from pipes and foundations. Also, ensure the landscaping around your home is graded away from the foundation and not holding water.
In addition, make sure wood sources like firewood and wood piles are stored several feet away from your home and in dry areas. Finally, disruption of existing termite colonies can cause them to scatter into new areas – make sure any existing colonies have been adequately treated when spotted.
How To Stop Termites From Invading Your Ajax Home Again
If termites have become a nuisance for you on your property, taking the right steps will certainly help you. Here are the steps you need to take to avert termites from invading your Ajax home again:
- The first step is eliminating any potential food and water sources for the termites. Ensure your gutters and downspouts are functioning correctly and directing rainwater away from the house, reduce ground moisture by levelling out soil or installing pathways made of crushed gravel around the foundation, and store firewood away from the main structure.
- Secondly, eliminate access points by caulking cracks around windows and doors, sealing gaps between siding pieces, replacing damaged wood trim — if possible using non-wood materials — and inspecting pipes where they enter the house.
- Finally, have a professional pest control company inspect your home annually for termites and pests so that any sign of an infestation can be nipped in the bud.
Final Words
Many think that once you get rid of termites, they’re gone for good. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case. Termites are persistent pests that can find their way back into your home no matter how well you seal them up. If you’ve seen signs of termites in your home, you must call pest control services immediately. A pest control service in Ajax will be able to identify the species of termite causing problems and put together a plan to eliminate them from your property for good.