Termites are troubling, there is no doubt about that. These creatures are tiny in size but can cause damage worth thousands of dollars. If you are beginning to notice that despite your best efforts to keep termites out of your home, they still seem to find a way, then it’s time to take necessary action.
But before we get into the details about termite prevention, it’s worth asking a simple question: how do termites even get in?
Knowing how termites make their way into your house can help you prevent them from showing up in the first place. In this blog post, we’ll break it down so you can protect your home from these destructive little pests.
What Termites Love! (Things That Are Attracting Termites In Your Property)
Let’s start by talking about what makes your home attractive to termites. These tiny creatures are looking for a few key things, and if your home provides them, they’ll gladly move in.
Moisture:
Termites love damp environments. In fact, you’re giving them an open invitation if your home has a leaky roof, dripping pipes, or places where water pools around the foundation. Moisture softens the wood, making it easier for them to chew through and build up their colonies.
Wood:
This probably isn’t a surprise, but termites feed on cellulose (a major part of wood). If you have wood that’s touching the soil (like a deck or fence post) or piles of firewood stacked right up against your house, that will attract hordes of termites. Damp wood is even better in their eyes, which is why wet or damaged parts of your home are more at risk.
Warmth:
Like most insects, termites are drawn to warmth. Your house, especially during colder months, can be an inviting space for them to settle in. The insulation, crevices, and gaps in your foundation provide a cozy home for them, where they can stay safe and warm while munching away at the wooden parts of your structure.
To find out more about this, visit our blog post: What Attracts Termites?
How Do Termites Enter Your House?
There are several ways that termites are getting into your home, and knowing where to look for them is the first step to getting rid of termites. Here are some possible places they might be getting in:
Cracks in the Foundation
Termites are very small, with their size ranging from ¼ to ½ of an inch. The size of baby termites is even smaller. This makes it easier for them to get into the smallest of cracks and crevices, the ones you have a hard time spotting with the naked eye.
While concrete foundations may seem tough, they often have expansion joints and gaps where pipes and utility lines enter. These openings can create an easy entry point for termites.
Wood To Soil Contact:
Termites are particularly drawn to wood that comes into direct contact with soil, as it creates an easy path to their favorite food source. Structures like wooden deck posts, porch supports, and untreated fences that touch the ground are especially at risk and can be entry points for these pests.
Another thing that makes it easier for termites to enter is mulch. If you use mulch it directly touches the foundation around your home, the termites will feast on it.
To protect your home, use treated wood and keep wooden elements elevated off the ground. Regularly checking for signs of termite activity can also help you catch any problems early.
Areas of Roof, Siding, and Vent Damage:
Many homeowners forget that termites can also enter from above. While only termite swarmers can fly, other termites know how to crawl and can find their way through damaged roofs or siding.
If you have missing shingles, broken soffits, or open vents, termites might be able to crawl in through the roof. Since most people don’t inspect their roofs regularly, these points of entry often go unnoticed until there’s already an infestation.
Gaps Around Pipes:
Anywhere you’ve got pipes entering your home is a potential entryway for termites. This includes places like your bathroom, kitchen, and any outdoor water spigots.
Even small gaps around these pipes can be an easy target for termites, as they can easily squeeze through tiny openings to reach the wood framing behind your walls. Over time, these unnoticed gaps can lead to serious infestations if not sealed properly.
Different Types of Termites and Their Strategies
You might be surprised to learn that there are a few different types of termites, and they don’t all enter your home in the same way.
Subterranean Termites:
These are the most common termites, and they live in the soil. They enter homes from below, usually through cracks in the foundation or wood that’s in contact with the soil. They tend to build mud tubes and keep themselves moist while they forage for food (like the wood in your house).
Drywood Termites:
Unlike subterranean termites, drywood termites don’t need contact with the soil. They can fly directly into your home and burrow into wood, such as door frames, windowsills, or even your furniture. They often make their way in through cracks or vents in the roof or attic.
Dampwood Termites:
As the name suggests, dampwood termites prefer wood that’s wet or decaying. They’re often found in areas where there’s a lot of moisture, like around leaky roofs, downspouts, or basements. While less common, they can still be a threat if you have damp, decaying wood in your home.
Signs That Termites Have Made Their Way To Your Home
Now that you know how termites get in your house, and the different types of termites there are, here is how to detect these almost untraceable pests:
- Mud Tubes: Termites build thin, pencil-sized mud tubes along walls or foundations to travel safely between their nest and food sources. These tubes protect them from predators and dry conditions.
- Hollow-Sounding Wood: Termites eat wood from the inside out, so tapping on an infested area may produce a hollow sound, indicating extensive internal damage.
- Discarded Wings: After swarming, flying termites shed their wings near windows, doors, or light sources, leaving behind small piles of wings as they settle to start a new colony.
- Droppings (Frass): The termites produce tiny, wood-colored pellets, known as frass, which they push out of their newly dug holes, often accumulating near windowsills or baseboards.
The Team at Jamison Pest and Lawn Can Help You Get Rid Of Termites!
Facing a termite infestation despite your best efforts? It’s time to call the experts! At Jamison Pest and Lawn we have a team of professional pest control specialists with years of experience in getting rid of termites.
With us, you get different types of termite-related services.
- We offer best-in-industry liquid termite treatment
- We also offer termite control for new constructions so that your home remains termite-free from the start.
Contact us today at (901) 452-1505 to learn more about us and the services we offer to keep your home free from pests.
