In our Rock Island service area, subterranean termites are a significant threat. They are a year-round problem that can threaten the equity of your home. What's worse, these tiny insects come up from the ground and feed on the inside of the wood of man-made structures. That makes them extremely difficult to detect. Here are two ways you may be able to tell if your Rock Island home is under attack.
Shelter Tubes
One of the most important tips we can give to help you avoid subterranean termite damage this summer is to look for the presence of shelter tubes on the side of your home. Termites create these tubes from soil and moisture as they climb up foundation walls. They'll create tubes on inside walls as well. A single tube is only about the width of a pencil but several tubes together can grow to be quite large.
Swarmers
Termites swarm in spring, and it is likely that swarms have already happened. If you've seen tiny black insects with long white wings crawling on the outside or inside of your home, you should definitely call a licensed professional. Swarms are a warning sign of a current and mature infestation. This is because swarms only travel a short distance.
Don't Expect To See Termite Damage
You would think that termite damage would be the best way to tell that your home is being eaten by subterranean termites but the damage termites do is rarely where you can see it. Termite workers have a strong aversion to light and they work together to prevent exposure. So you have to look for external signs of internal damage.
Termite Control
Termites are a year-round problem in Iowa and Illinois. Don't leave your home unprotected. Consider investing in ongoing termite protection to safeguard your equity from the destructive influence of these wood-eating pests. When you invest in termite control you decide how much you're willing to allow termites to cost you. In fact, you can put it right in your budget. When termites decide, it can lead to a surprise cost that can wipe your savings out and impact your retirement.
If you live in Rock Island or our extensive Iowa and Illinois service area, let Quik-Kill Pest Eliminators help you get the right protection in place to prevent termites from making a meal out of your equity. Life has enough twists and turns without adding termites to the list.