Having a termite infestation in your home can be a very stressful and expensive situation. Could your home actually be attracting termites?  It is worth knowing because termite damage costs property owners an average about $5 billion a year!

The best way to avoid getting termites is to seal any areas where they might enter your house through small cracks or crevices. However, if you do notice signs of termites in your home, don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional for help! Read on to learn more about termites and what might attract them to your home.

What are Termites?

Termites are small insects that usually measure between ¼ and ½ inches long, with straight antennae and soft bodies ranging from white to light brown. Flying termites (also called reproductives) have two pairs of large wings.

There are over 2000 species of termites, and over 40 different kinds in the US alone! These insects love to feed on wood and are considered to be one of the most destructive pests in the world.

What Attracts Termites?

Dampness is the number one issue that is a contributing factor in attracting termites into homes or other buildings, as damp wood is much easier to burrow through.  Additionally having a home that’s built close to the ground, such as one on a slab foundation, can also make it easier for termites to make their way inside.

To avoid making your home attractive to termites, be sure to stay on top of common issues like rotting window sills/door frames, backed-up gutters, or leaking pipes. Sealing any cracks or crevices in your home can also help prevent termites from getting in.

Signs of a Termite Infestation

Even if you take proactive steps to prevent termites, they may still find a way in. If your home is infested, you likely won’t see the termites themselves but will notice other signs.

Common signs that your home is infested with termites include:

● Swarmers (flying termites): Swarmers are winged termites that emerge from their nests in large groups and are often the first sign of a termite infestation.

● Droppings: Termite droppings are small, rigid, and the color of the wood.

● Mud tunnels: Termites will often create mud tunnels to burrow through, leaving holes in any exposed wood.

● Shedded wings: Wings that the flying termites have shed may be visible at entry points to your home.

● Property damage: As an infestation becomes more severe, you may begin to notice property damage like sagging walls, bowed ceilings, or broken wood.

Professional Termite Extermination at Maine Bed Bugs

Termite infestations can be both distressing and expensive! Since there are only a few recommended practices to prevent them from entering your home, they may sneak their way in. If you notice any signs of termites in your home, it’s time to call in a professional.

At Maine Bed Bugs, we have years of experience tackling even the toughest infestations. Our knowledgeable team is dedicated to providing affordable, safe, and effective pest solutions to customers throughout Maine.

Noticed signs of termites in your home? Give us a call at (207) 650-8654.

Termites – critters no one likes to think about – are a national problem and cause approximately $5 billion in property damage each year. That’s a lot of damage considering termites are not as easily seen as critters like cockroaches and mice. Seek help if you suspect you have termites in Lewiston, Maine in order to protect your home from costly damages.

Signs of Termites in Your House

Before they can do too much damage to your home, look for these signs of termites in Lewiston, Maine.  If you do see them,  seek help from a professional termite exterminator:

• Blisters in wood flooring. Blistering wood is a sign that termites are within, feeding on the wood. Subterranean termites can cause damage to the subfloor, which makes your flooring look as if it has been water damaged.
• Wood damage. Probably the biggest and most known sign of a termite infestation, wood damage is caused by termites chewing through wood to find cellulose, leaving behind long grooves in the wood.
• Check around the access points to your home – windows, doors, etc. – for discarded termite wings. Discarded wings happen when termites swarm away from their nests to mate and to find a new place to create a colony. When termites land, they twist off their wings because they won’t need them again – they’ve already found and made their new home.
• Mud tubes. Found outside your home where ground meets your home or other food sources like a shed or a tree, mud tubes are used by termites that require certain temperatures and humidity levels to survive. The mud tubes help block out cool, dry air, creating the perfect environment for these termites to survive.

If you’ve noticed any of these signs, seek help from Maine Bed Bugs and Pest Control.

Seeking Help from the Best for Termites in Lewiston, Maine

Even if you don’t see these signs, that doesn’t mean termites aren’t there. Termite damage can go unnoticed for a while and, by the time the damage is noticed, significant structural damage to your home may have occurred. So if you notice any signs of termites or the wood in your house weakening, seek help from the best pest control service in Lewiston – Maine Bed Bugs and Pest Control. We’re a family owned company so we know how important it is to get rid of termites quickly. Let us help you keep your home and family safe. Call us today at (207) 650-8654.