6 Things You Need to Do When You Find Termites at Home

Termites are some of the most destructive pests you can encounter in your home. They can silently eat away at wood and structural materials, causing significant damage that often goes unnoticed until it’s too late. If you find termites in your home, it’s crucial to act quickly to minimize the damage.

In this guide, we’ll discuss 6 essential steps to take when you find termites at home. If you need professional help, call PPestControl at (866) 228-5691 for expert termite control services.

1. Identify the Type of Termite

The first step in handling a termite problem is to identify the species of termites you’re dealing with. Termites can be classified into three main types: subterranean, drywood, and dampwood. The type of termite will influence the best course of action for treatment.

Termite Type	Characteristics	Damage Potential
Subterranean Termites	Small, pale, and found in underground colonies. Often create mud tubes on walls.	High, as they can infest entire buildings and cause severe structural damage.
Drywood Termites	Larger, darker, and typically found inside wood. Do not need contact with soil.	Moderate to high, as they infest wood beams, furniture, and drywall.
Dampwood Termites	Prefers moist, decaying wood, and can be found in areas with water damage.	High in cases of untreated water damage, causing destruction to wooden structures.

Identifying the type of termite will help you select the most effective treatment.

2. Assess the Severity of the Infestation

Once you’ve identified the termites, you need to assess the extent of the infestation. Termites can cause substantial damage over time, but early detection can significantly limit the destruction.

Signs of a termite infestation include:

Mud Tubes: Subterranean termites create mud tubes on walls, floors, and foundations to travel between their colony and food source.
Hollow or Damaged Wood: Tap wood surfaces to see if they sound hollow, which is a sign of internal damage.
Sawdust or Frass: Drywood termites often leave behind small piles of sawdust or frass near infested wood.
Flying Termites: These are reproductive termites (also called swarmers) that may be seen around windows and lights.
Discolored or Buckling Wood: Wood may become discolored, sag, or buckle as it weakens from termite activity.

The more signs you find, the more severe the infestation likely is.

3. Stop Further Damage by Isolating the Infestation

To prevent further damage, try to isolate the affected areas. Although termites can be difficult to contain, taking measures to limit their access to other parts of your home can help slow down the damage while you seek professional treatment.

Steps to contain the infestation:

Seal off entry points: Close doors and windows in infested areas and seal any visible cracks or gaps.
Move wooden items: If possible, move infested furniture or wooden items to areas of your home that are unaffected by the termites.
Monitor termite activity: Keep an eye on the infested area for any signs of new termite activity, such as fresh mud tubes or frass piles.

While these steps help minimize further damage, professional treatment is often necessary to fully eradicate the infestation.

4. Call a Professional Termite Control Service

Termites are not easy to eliminate with DIY methods. Professional pest control experts like PPestControl have the tools, knowledge, and experience to deal with termite infestations safely and effectively. They can identify the severity of the problem, assess the damage, and use targeted treatments to get rid of termites.

Why call a professional?

Accurate Identification: Professionals can determine the exact type of termites and the best treatment options.
Advanced Treatment Techniques: Methods like liquid treatments, termite baits, and fumigation are best handled by experts.
Long-Term Prevention: Professionals can recommend preventive measures to ensure termites don’t return in the future.

Don’t wait for the damage to worsen—call PPestControl at (866) 228-5691 for reliable termite control.

5. Use Termite Baits and Traps

While professional treatment is often the most effective solution, termite baits and traps can be used to monitor and reduce termite activity in the short term. These traps contain poison or attractants that termites take back to their colony, which can eventually kill off the whole group.

Types of termite baits and traps:

Bait Type	How It Works
Station Baits	Placed in the ground around your home, these bait stations attract termites, which carry the poison back to the colony.
Liquid Baits	Applied directly to wood or around foundations, these baits prevent termites from feeding and destroy the colony.
In-Soil Baits	Installed underground, these bait stations attract subterranean termites from surrounding areas.

While effective in reducing the colony’s population, these baits and traps may not eliminate the infestation completely, which is why professional treatment is essential.

6. Prevent Future Termite Infestations

Once you’ve dealt with the current infestation, taking steps to prevent future termite problems is essential. Termites are relentless, so proactive measures will protect your home from future attacks.

Steps to prevent future infestations:

Fix leaks and moisture issues: Termites thrive in moist environments. Repair leaky pipes, gutters, and water-damaged areas of your home.
Remove wood and cellulose material: Keep firewood, mulch, and other wood-based materials away from your home’s foundation.
Install a barrier: Consider installing a termite barrier around your home using liquid treatment or physical barriers like mesh screens.
Regular inspections: Schedule annual termite inspections with a professional to ensure your home remains termite-free.

By staying vigilant and maintaining your home, you can reduce the risk of another infestation.

Quick Checklist: 6 Things to Do When You Find Termites at Home

Identify the type of termite.
Assess the severity of the infestation.
Isolate the affected areas to prevent further damage.
Call a professional termite control service.
Use termite baits and traps for monitoring and reducing activity.
Prevent future infestations with proactive measures.

Conclusion

Termites can cause significant and costly damage if left untreated. By identifying the type of termite, assessing the infestation, isolating affected areas, and seeking professional help, you can limit the damage and prevent further issues. Using termite baits and taking preventive measures will also help keep your home safe from future infestations. If you’re dealing with termites, PPestControl is ready to help.

Call us today at (866) 228-5691 for expert termite control services.