Termite Control 101: Identification, Prevention, And Control In Jacksonville

One of the most problematic pests is the humble termite. While they are mostly harmless individually, the thousands of dollars in property damage they cause per colony is enough to make most homeowners wary. In this guide, the Jacksonville pest control experts at Lindsey Pest Services will teach you how to identify, prevent, and control termites in your home.

How To Identify Signs Of Termites Around Your Home

Different species of termites come with different signs of their intrusion, but the universal sign of a termite infestation is damage to wood. Areas of walls that are soft or hollow may indicate that termites have burrowed into the wood or drywall. Additionally, you may notice paint bubbling or cracking as the termites dig into the surface.
 
When dealing with subterranean termites, one may look for the distinctive mud tubes they build as they travel from the nest to your house. If there are drywood termites on your property, you may see piles of small pellets, which are their droppings. These will typically accumulate underneath small, round kick-out holes that drywood termites have created.

Why And How Termites Infest And Damage Homes

Termites are one of the only creatures in the world that can properly digest and process cellulose, normally discarded as waste by other herbivorous organisms. Because they've evolved to eat this substance, it is practically their entire diet exclusively, and as such, they must eat wood in large quantities. Some species of termites are active at all times, constantly consuming wood and thus causing upwards of $5 billion in property damage every year in the U.S.
 
Termites function with reproductives, workers, and soldiers in most cases. The workers consume wood as well as return it to the reproductives, which include the king and queen of the colony. This queen is the largest and most important, as she may lay up to 1,000 eggs per day. Their explosive reproductive growth is responsible for termites' infestation potential, as the sheer exponential growth of these insects can be overwhelming.

Five Practical Termite Prevention Tips For Jacksonville Homes

Trying to get rid of house termites can be nearly impossible for an individual homeowner, so prevention is necessary. Try these five tips:

• Repair leaky pipes and reduce moisture buildup near your home's foundation. Termites are attracted to moisture.

• Repair holes and cracks in exterior walls, as these will give termites easy access to your home.

• Eliminate wood contact with the soil, and maintain a one-inch gap between the soil and wood portions of the building.

• Have your property regularly inspected for termites. This will reduce the chances of an infestation going unnoticed.

• Install window screens and door sweeps to prevent termites from entering through these small gaps.

The best solution to termites is to prevent them, but there's one thing you can do if you're already experiencing a termite infestation.

The Stress-Free Way To Total Termite Protection For Your Home

The best way to stop a termite infestation and prevent future infestations is to contact a termite control specialist. By contacting and hiring a pest control service provider to do regular inspections of your home, you can save yourself the hassle and cost of repairing termite damage. For total termite protection in Jacksonville, look no further than Lindsey Pest Services.
 
Taking risks with DIY termite control solutions can cost you more in the long run. Leave it in the hands of the professionals so you can reduce your stress. Contact the pest control specialists at Lindsey Pest Services today.