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How to save your home from termites

Besides causing $5 billion in property damage in the U.S. every year, the EPA estimates a typical termite infestation will cost a homeowner more than $3,000 in repairs and that doesn’t include the cost of termite treatments. If that’s not cause for concern, you should also know that homeowner’s insurance policies rarely cover termite damage.

Being proactive when it comes to termite prevention can help you avoid costly and unexpected surprises. Don’t take risks! We’ve got lots of insider tips and expert advice that will help to prevent these silent destroyers from invading your home.

What types of termites live in my state?

termite pressure in the united states

Depending on your location in the U.S., you may experience issues with different types of termites. Our termite pressure map illustrates where certain species may be problematic and the level of pressure faced in different geographic regions of the country.

  • Eastern subterranean termites are the most common species of termite in North America and the most likely to be a problem for homeowners in the Eastern U.S.

  • Formosan termites are often considered the most aggressive and voracious species; this species is found in the Southeast and Gulf Coast states. Some of these same areas face troubles with Asian termites, which behave in a similar manner.

  • Drywood termites can be found across the lower half of the country and in California. They are also present in areas of Arizona, Nevada, and Utah.

Top 4 signs of a termite infestation

Knowing what to look for when it comes to termite activity can help to reduce the amount of time they have to infest your home. If you see any of these signs of termites in or around your home, call Ehlich. We offer several termite solutions to protect your home.

termite swarmers

Swarmers

When the conditions are right for a colony to expand, reproductive pairs will leave the colony to mate. These winged termites are known as swarmers. Swarming season typically begins in early March and continues through June, although it can vary by several weeks depending on temperature and species.

discarded termite wings

Discarded wings

Winged termites will fly from the nest in search of a location to start a new colony with their mate. Once a location is found, they will shed their wings.

mud tunnel from termites

Mud tubes

‘Mud’ tunnels are used as a termite highway or as a way to protect a food source. Mud tubes may be hidden under sheet rock or siding, or built in plain view near your home’s foundation.

termite tunnels in wood

Damaged wood

If you notice damaged wood or if the wood in your home sounds hollow, appears soft, blistered, or breaks upon contact, termites could be to blame.

Do termites only eat wood?

Termites can be eating away at the wood in your home for years before you ever notice the damage — hidden inside walls, floors, roofs or behind the paint on hollowed out woodwork.

Most people know that termites consume wood. However, while wood may be their preferred food, a termite will eat any material composed of cellulose such as mulch, books, paper, and insulation.

Even if your home is built primarily of brick or stone, you can still have termite issues. The structural supports as well as other building components are often constructed of wood and other materials containing cellulose.

9 tips for keeping termites away from your home

Prevention is key to reducing the likelihood of termites infesting your home. The main objective is to remove access to the resources termites need to survive. This may include adding some of these additional tasks to your to do list:

  1. Avoid stacking firewood near the structure.

  2. Keep mulch pulled back away from the foundation of your home.

  3. Repair leaks and moisture issues right away (leaky faucets, poor drainage, etc.).

  4. Correct any condensation issues around HVAC and air conditioning units.

  5. Avoid wood-to-soil contact near your home.

  6. Remove excess wood from the yard, including construction materials, fallen trees, stumps, roots.

  7. Use treated wood for building projects.

  8. Call a pest control professional immediately if you notice swarming termites.

  9. Ask your Pest Specialist about year-round termite protection for your home.

Get year-round termite protection for your home

The first step to protecting your home is by implementing a preventative termite plan that works year-round, providing you with continuous protection and peace of mind.

Ehrlich offers a variety of termite protection plans that are specifically designed to target common termite species in your area. Our termite plans focus on preventing future infestations and eliminating active ones.

Learn more about Ehrlich's termite protection services – your home and wallet will thank you.

Do you have termites? Schedule a free* inspection.

For a free termite inspection, give Ehrlich a call at 888.984.0186 or contact us online. Our termite experts will quickly determine if you have any signs of termite activity and provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision.

*Free inspection applies to current homeowners as of the date of the inspection who make use of the home as their primary residence.

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