Termites, like other creatures, need food to survive—and cellulose is their food source of choice. This is found in wood, which is why they often attack homes and other wooden structures. They also gnaw on wood panelling and flooring, cardboard boxes, and other places where cellulose can be found. Worker termites within a colony are eating 24/7/365, which is why the damage they create can become so significant, so quickly. In fact, in just one year’s time, termites can do $5 billion dollars in damage to homes and other buildings.

Brittle wood that may look fine from the outside but is actually weak inside, is a common sign of termite infestation and damage. Other signs include hollow sounds when you tap on wood or flooring that buckles, and mud tubes. If these mud tubes come back after being destroyed, this is almost certainly a sign of termite infestation. Termites shelter within these flat mud tubes and they can be found beneath your flooring, along cracks and around baseboards, pipes and more.

Another sign of termites may be swarming behavior in the Spring, as they expand the number of their colonies. Or you may see shed wings in your home on window sills or flooring. 

Although it may appear that termites can chew their way through concrete, they can’t. They can, however, slip through the tiniest of cracks, including those in poured concrete. In fact, they can get through a crack as small as 1/32 of an inch!

In good conditions, a termite queen can live more than a decade; in optimal ones, anywhere from 15 to 25 years, much longer than the workers and soldiers. Plus, she can reproduce incredibly quickly, able to lay an egg every 15 seconds. Do the math. That’s exponential growth.

Because termites can be such crafty creatures—and because their colonies can grow so rapidly—it’s important to be proactive to protect your Dayton home against an infestation.

Our expert termite exterminators know that preventative measures are key to protecting your home from these destructive insects. That’s why we recommend that every Dayton homeowner schedules an inspection by our pest control specialists every year. On every annual visit, we look for signs of termite activity and any conditions that may attract termites so we can prevent an infestation before it has a chance to start.

Whether your home has active termites now or you simply want the peace of mind of knowing that you’ll never again have to pay for termite activity in your home, the team at SafeHome Termite & Pest Control and our termite services in Dayton Ohio are the best solution for you and your family.