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Dry wood infestations are a little harder to guard against because these little pests can enter the home from any level where they find an entry point. Keep up with the regular maintenance the exterior wood on your structure requires to keep it healthy and strong.
Warning Signs of an infestation
Termites are a tricky problem to diagnose. Usually you won’t know until you’ve already found evidence of their damage. What are you looking out for?
You might see pinprick holes in your drywall, wood may sound hollow when tapped, or may even be outright crumbling.
Once they’ve found a suitable home, a termite will shed its wings. They kind of resemble fish scales, and if you find piles of them, that’s a sign. You could also spot a pile of pellets that resemble salt and pepper.
When termites burrow, they need a lot of moisture — and that can present by peeling or bubbling your paint, loosening your tiles, and discolouring your drywall.
Outside the home, look at the foundation for evidence of a termite’s mud tubes. You’re looking for earth-coloured tubes creeping up the foundation that are about the size of a thin drinking straw.
When they’re on the exterior foundation, they’re pretty easy to spot. Unfortunately, they can also be hiding in foundation cracks, inside walls, basements, or in the crawl space, making them hard or impossible to find.
If you find evidence of termites, call in a pest-control expert. They’ll perform an inspection and confirm your infestation, and design a plan that will wipe out the infestation. Make sure you hire a team that offers a good warranty behind their work. Should the infestation return, they can come back to make it right.
To find out more about Mike Holmes, visit makeitright.ca
For Postmedia News
