Residential Routine Pest Control Maintenance

Termite Control Myths That Could Mislead Homeowners

Preventing damage from occurring to your home is essential for limiting the expenses you must pay for repairs and maintenance. While homeowners will often be focused on damage from storms and other obvious threats, they may overlook the issues that insects can cause for a house. Termites are one of the most common pets to attack a home, but a lack of accurate information will prevent some homeowners from effectively preventing severe termite damage.

Myth: Termites Only Cause Cosmetic Damage To A House

A common assumption new homeowners will make is that termites are only a cosmetic problem for their house. This belief can stem from the belief that these insects are too small to pose a significant threat to the house. However, the collective efforts of a termite colony can cause extensive damage throughout the house, which may include structurally significant components of the home. Sadly, it can be extremely difficult to know the extent of the termite damage until you have the problem addressed. For this reason, you should contact a termite exterminator at the first sign of termites so they can perform a comprehensive damage inspection of the house.

Myth: Siding Will Prevent Termites From Reaching The Wood

Siding can be an extremely durable option for your home's exterior, and it may provide some minimal protection against common forms of damage. However, homeowners that assume their siding will be protection against termites are sorely mistaken. Termites can squeeze through the extremely small gaps that may be present where the siding meets the exterior of your home. Furthermore, it can be possible for termites to access a home through the roof or basement, and understanding this will help you to take effective steps for keeping the house safe.

Myth: Brick Homes Are Not Vulnerable To These Pests

Brick homeowners will often be under the mistaken belief that their houses will be immune from termites. While it is true that much of the exterior of the house will be made of brick, it will still contain numerous wooden components that can be at risk of being targeted by termites. In particular, many of the interior load-bearing walls will likely be made of wood, and termite damage to these walls can pose a serious safety risk to those in the house. Due to this, brick homeowners will still find it necessary to have their homes treated by a termite control professional every year. Also, any wooden areas of the home should be visually inspected for termite activity, and if you notice small holes or sawdust, you should do some additional reading and schedule a termite treatment as soon as possible.