Nobody wants to deal with a termite problem in their home, but an infestation can be difficult to prevent with how tiny and tenacious these pests are. Termites are some of the most expensive pests to suffer from, costing United States property owners a cumulative total of over five billion dollars annually, so the panic surrounding them is more than understandable. Correctly identifying signs of termites, along with the best termite control in Jacksonville, could save you thousands of dollars in home repairs.
Shed Wings Around Your Jacksonville Property
The first and earliest sign of termites is shed wings scattered around door frames, window frames, and around the foundation of a home or property. These wings, which look like translucent scales, come from termite swarmers after they’ve found a suitable place to build a new colony. Thankfully, termite season in Jacksonville only lasts from April to July, so you don’t have to worry about termite swarmers year-round.
Mud Tubes Climbing Up The Exterior Of Your Jacksonville Home
Even if it’s not termite season in Jacksonville, your home could be at risk of an infestation year-round. The most likely culprit behind an out-of-season infestation would be subterranean termites since they prefer to live in the ground rather than the wood they consume, and their signature sign of activity is the mud tubing they use to travel between their colony and food source.
Moisture-Related Damage Within Your Jacksonville Home
Most people wouldn’t associate water damage with a termite problem, but active termites in your Jacksonville home can create all kinds of moisture issues for your property:
- Loose and warped floor tiles
- Discolored, sagging drywall
- Swollen door and window frames
- Overly squeaky floorboards
- Peeling wallpaper
Termites have trouble retaining moisture, so they require environments that provide enough moisture for them to survive. If you already have a termite infestation, this could mean you have undiscovered moisture issues as well.
Wood-Related Damage Around Your Jacksonville Home
Of course, it goes without saying that if you have active termites in your Jacksonville home, you’re already sustaining a fair amount of damage to the wood and cellulose-rich items on your property, but it’s important to know what that damage looks like:
- Hollow-sounding wood when tapped
- Dry, crumbling wood
- Tiny pinholes in wooden beams, drywall, baseboards, etc.
- Maze-like patterns in wooden items, including furniture and decorations
Strange-Looking Piles Of Sawdust
Some say they look like piles of ground black pepper, others say they look like piles of sawdust, but what you’re really looking at is termite fecal matter, also known as frass. Termites like to keep their galleries neat and tidy, so they make exit holes where they can expel dirt, dead termites, and excrement.
How To Get Rid Of A Termite Infestation On Your Jacksonville Property
If you’re unfamiliar with the behavior of home-infesting termites, you may find that DIY solutions won’t be as effective as you’d hope for. Dealing with a termite infestation takes a lot of education, training, and expensive equipment that would likely only be one-use items if you purchased them yourself. When you need the best termite control in Jacksonville, just call Trad’s Pest Control.
Our pest experts are fully licensed, highly trained professionals who specialize in dealing with all of Jacksonville’s most common pests. We use the best quality pest control products on the market in every treatment we provide, we offer annual termite inspections, and with over 40 years in the industry, you’re guaranteed to receive the best pest control services available. Don’t let termites eat you out of house and home, get in contact with us today to find out how we can help.