“Termites date back more than 120 million years to the time of the dinosaurs. They are known as ‘silent destroyers’ because of their ability to chew through wood, flooring, and even wallpaper undetected. Each year, termites cause more than $5 billion in property damage – costs that (usually) aren’t covered by homeowners’ insurance policies” (PestWorld.org). Your home is one of your biggest and most important investments, so you really must trust its care and protection from these pests to professionals who understand the magnitude of potential problems termites can cause, and who are dedicated to both thorough extermination and ongoing prevention of infestation. Homestead Pest Management’s team of professionals offer such care for your valuable home and properties.

According to Ron Harrison of Realtor.com, there are “5 Signs Your Home may be Infested with Termites”:

• Hollow-sounding wood: Termites prefer to be in dark, humid environments, so they do not typically feed on the surface of wood, where they would be visible to the human eye. In fact, the wood’s surface might appear smooth, even if termites are inflicting damage. If wood sounds hollow when tapped, it may be because termites are eating the wood from the inside out. 

• Groups of winged insects (“swarmers”) or discarded wings: Reproductive termites called swarmers take flight to create new colonies. Subterranean termites typically swarm in the spring, whereas drywood swarms are less predictable. If you see a swarm of insects or groups of discarded wings, call a termite specialist to inspect.

• Cracked or distorted paint on wood surfaces: Swarming drywood termites can enter through openings smaller than the edge of a dime, so monitor and seal any cracks in the home’s foundation and near roof siding, vents and windows.

• Mud tubes on exterior walls: Subterranean termites build mud tubes on surfaces, such as a home’s foundation, to provide moisture while they are searching for food. Store mulch, firewood and wood chips away from the home to avoid creating moisture-rich habitats for termites to survive and thrive.

• Frass: Drywood termites produce wood-colored droppings called frass as they eat their way through infested wood. Keep gutters, downspouts and crawl spaces free of debris and cellulose materials to prevent food sources for termites.

Homestead Pest Management was the first company in Jackson, Tennessee to offer a termite baiting system. We believe it to be the best and greenest way to treat your home for termites, but if you feel that a liquid barrier is what you really need, we also offer liquid treatments. We can treat your home with the Perimeter Plus Treatment using Termidor®. This offers the best liquid protection that we can give you, and it is backed by a 10-year damage warranty on any new damages.

If you need a personal assessment of your property for termites or any other type of pest, contact us at Homestead Pest Management for all your West TN pest-control needs.