Termite Damage-Greatest Risk to Your Home!

Did you know that termites cause over $5 billion in damage in the United States each year?  Your home has a greater risk of being damaged by termites than fire, flood, or wind!

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Here is some basic information on termite damage and what to look for:

photo courtesy of termiteweb.com

Subterranean termites have colonies underground in loose, damp soil.  They build mud tunnels to reach food sources above ground.  These are usually seen near the foundation of infested homes, but they can also make their way up support piers and floor joists.

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photo courtesy of termitesgonewild.com

Mud tubes are about the size (diameter) of a pencil, but can also be thicker.  Termites use these tubes for shelter as they travel between their underground nest and the structure, or food source.

photo courtesy of old.termiguardusa.com

Termites primarily feed on wood, but they can also damage paper, books, cardboard boxes, and insulation.  These small pests are capable of compromising the strength and safety of a structure to the point that it becomes unlivable!  Unfortunately, damage may not become noticeable until an infestation is full-blown.  An infestation may go undetected for years, hidden behind walls, floor coverings, and insulation.  Serious damage can sometimes take three to eight years to become apparent.  Picture a basic 2" x 4" board.  It takes a colony of 60,000 worker termites around five months to consume one foot of that board.

photo courtesy of brothersexterminating.org

Damage caused by termites can sometimes appear similar to water damage such as buckling wood or swollen floors and ceilings.  There may also be a mildew or mold scent present.

photo courtesy of termites.com

Termite damaged wood is usually hollowed out along the grain, with bits of dried mud or soil lining the feeding galleries.  Rippled or sunken traces behind wall coverings can also be an indication of termites tunneling underneath.  Other signs of termite damage include wood that sounds "hollow" when it is tapped and soft wood that is easily probed with a knife or screwdriver.
There is no way to know the age of recently discovered damage without a known reference point of time that no damage was present.  It is very important to have annual termite inspections to help reveal conditions that might suggest damage exist.  Mid-Georgia Pest Control would love to serve you and help protect you home.  Call us today at 770-962-4240!

photo courtesy of uark.edu