If you see a close up image of a termite, it looks like something from a creature feature. You can imagine it destroying everything in its path. When you see the real thing, it does not seem nearly as threatening; after all termites are only about an eighth of an inch in length. The truth about the destructive qualities of a termite lies somewhere between these two images.
A single termite on its own would take thousands of years to do serious damage to your property, and termites only live for around two years. The problem is that termites do not live on their own; they live in colonies with hundreds, or even thousands, of other termites. Different types of temite form different sizes of colony.
How long does it take for a colony to damage your property?
We have established that a single termite is nothing to worry about; but what about a colony of termites? Even the largest termite colonies only consume around one pound of wood every twenty-four hours. You may be wondering why you need to worry at all, as this does not sound like a lot.
The problem is that speed is not a major concern with termites; it’s the fact that they can remain undetected for years that is the main problem. Termites slowly destroy the wooden structures of your home from the inside out. They are more prevalent in damp areas, in crawl spaces and where wood comes into contact with the ground, but they can munch away anywhere in your property.
Signs of damage often do not show up for months, or even years, and by then you could end up having to pay thousands of dollars for repairs.
How can you prevent this damage?
The best way to deal with termites is to try and prevent them from entering your home in the first place. If they do get in, you need to make sure they are eradicated as soon as possible. We’ve put together some tips to help you out.
- Keep a close watch for signs of a termite infestation.
- Have your home checked for termites regularly; usually once every one to two years but greater frequency may be needed in areas where termite infestations are very common.
- Set about finding a pest control company to use liquid treatments and baits, to deal with potential problems.
Taking these actions can help you deal with any termite problems, before serious structural damage is caused.
Just because termites do not seem as though they can cause much damage, if you see one up close, does not mean you should underestimate them. Once you have hundreds or thousands of the pests inside your home, they are a serious issue. If you are not alert to the danger, and do not take appropriate measures, these tiny creatures could leave you with a huge repair bill.
