Purchasing a house is the most expensive investment most of us make. When we sign that long-term contract for a home, most of us expect to live there for many years. Purchasing a property comes with maintenance and prevention obligations, and one responsibility for Texas homeowners is to protect against termites.
Failure to protect your hard-earned investment from termites may result in a considerable financial outlay for future home repairs. Termites stealthily and slowly destroy the structure of your home. You may not be aware of the damage beneath your feet until significant harm has occurred.
A significant decision you can make to ensure you maintain and retain your home's value and integrity is to have the Del Rio pest control team from Gold Star Exterminators inspect your house for termites. We've been protecting homes for over 40 years from termites for thousands of satisfied customers.
Warning Signs Of Termite Activity To Watch For Around Your Property
Termites work quietly year-round beneath your feet as they destroy the wood in your house. There are many types of termites in Texas, but the primary termite species in Del Rio is the subterranean termite. These termites are the most destructive type in the country and cost homeowners billions of dollars in damages annually.
Although they work silently, there are signs indicating their presence like the following:
- Mud tubes: These tubes provide protective passageways from the soil to nests. Mud tubes are in crawlspace piers, utility entrances, and foundation walls or slabs.
- Discarded wings: Reproducing winged termites leave the nest during the spring to start new colonies. Wings from the swarming termites on windowsills or indoor cobwebs are signs of termites in the home.
- Wood damage: Soft wood that sounds hollow when tapped is a sign of an invasion. Other indications include blistered paint and darkened areas on the wood.
- Fecal droppings: Sawdust-like piles of fecal matter outside small openings in wood are a sign of subterranean termites.
If you see these early warning signs of termites, call our experts at Gold Star Exterminators so we can schedule an inspection.
The Extent Of Structural Damage Termites Can Cause On Your Property
Each year subterranean termites use their hard, saw-toothed jaws to cause significant structural damage to homes in Del Rio. A subterranean termite colony has up to 2 million workers that continually bite off cellulose fragments. A small colony of 60,000 workers can consume two feet of wood in a two-by-four piece of lumber annually! Years of gnawing wood away unabated will result in evidence of termite damage such as sagging, caving, or collapsing floors resulting in significant repair costs for the homeowner.
How To Remove Factors That Attract Termites To Your Property
The best way to prevent a termite infestation in your home is to make your property unattractive to subterranean termites.
The main lure for these termites is moisture; therefore, you can reduce the appeal of your home by implementing the following:
- Keep the crawlspace or basement well-ventilated
- Install downspout extensions to remove rainwater away from the foundation
- Construct a barrier of at least 18 inches between the soil and the wood
- Remove rotting tree stumps and debris from the property
To prevent a subterranean termite problem, eliminate high moisture areas near the house.
Contact The Professionals For The Best Termite Control Solution
Because ignoring the possibility of subterranean termites on your property may result in significant repair costs, take action and contact the best termite control near you, Gold Star Exterminators.
Our experts have experience using the latest and safest technology to effectively rid houses of termites. Our trained pest control team from Gold Star Exterminators will inspect your property and create a custom treatment and prevention strategy so you can rest easy knowing that your hard-earned investment is safe from termite destruction.