Termites can destroy structural framing in short order. Learn the signs of infestation, inspect every year or two and consult a professional to confirm your suspicions. Above all, be persistent--your enemy is!
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| Make a thorough inspection |
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Steps: |
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In warm months, you may spot dry-wood termites when they swarm and come out of hidden infested areas. |
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Look for structural wood damage at the first-floor level, especially where the foundation meets the walls and below exterior doors. First search carefully with a flashlight. The damage may not be visible, so thump the wood with the heel of a large screwdriver and probe with a heavy-duty awl in search of hollowed-out wood. |
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Look for very small tan, reddish-brown or black droppings. |
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Inspect the foundation walls inside and out in search of mud tubes. Subterranean termites live in the soil and close to a moisture source but feed on structural wood members, which they access by building mud passageways extending from the soil to the wood. |
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| Confirm your suspicions |
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Steps: |
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If you find a problem (or enough evidence to suspect one), call a professional to confirm your suspicions and discuss options for elimination, control, prevention, treating existing wood and making repairs using naturally termite-resistant or treated lumber. |
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| Work on prevention yourself |
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Steps: |
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Repair any water leaks or dripping outside faucets. |
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Control roof water by correcting gutter problems. |
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Correct grading and other drainage problems near the foundation. |
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Remove or elevate all wood in direct contact with soil, such as a stack of firewood. |
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Inspect, repair or cover all foundation vents with insect screening. |
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Caulk your home's exterior to fill all cracks, especially between the foundation and house walls. |
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Overall Tips: |
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Call in the pros for treatment and structural repairs. |
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Replace white light bulbs, which attract insects, with yellow or pale-amber ones in your outdoor fixtures. |
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Although any treatment should last about five years, provided there are no untreated gaps in the chemical barrier, inspections every two years are recommended. |
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Overall Warnings: |
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Know your enemy. Learn about insect behavior, their eating and nesting habits, and the signs of their presence. |
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Who Can Help You With This: |
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Echo Home Inspections recommends:
Terminator2 Pest Control, Inc.
you can reach them at 847-428-8100
tell them  sent you!!
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