Answered: How Do Termites Get in Your House?

Termites are little destroyers that can bring extensive damage to homes. Protecting your home from a possible termite infection is one of the most crucial undertakings of a homeowner. Knowing the location and reason behind a potential infestation and how to get rid of it and prevent it is essential. To address these issues, Horne’s has produced a guide to help you know what termites are, their origins, and how to safeguard your homes from infestations. 

 

What Are Termites?

Termites are among the most destructive pests in the world and are notorious for being silent destructors. Termites are insects that typically consume dead plant material like wood chips, rotted wood (logs), leaf litter, and soil. Despite being relatively distantly related to ants, they are sometimes referred to as “white ants.” Termites have various types, usually found in homes, and are typically identified in the United States.

 

Where Do Termites Live?

Termites can live in the following places around or in your home:

 

Subterranean Termites

Dead trees and moist wood are the preferred habitats for this type of termite. They can eat dead tree branches and old tree stumps in the natural world. Subterranean termites also need access to moist environments; therefore, they frequently start their colonies in damp wood in yards or beneath the soil before infecting houses. These termites use underground mud tunnels to get access to homes and structures. Depending on where you live, they might also come from further away, like a neighboring park or wooded area.

 

Drywood Termites

Drywood Termites are found in dry wood habitats. They build their colonies inside dry wood and avoid contact with soil. These types of termites don’t require much moisture compared to subterranean termites – only a small amount of water in the wood they feed on is enough. This enables them to seek shelter in homes, woodshops, and hardwood forests. They also inhabit old trees and voids in housing exteriors. Because these termites reside deep within wooden structures, house invasions are frequently challenging to detect. If they’re in your house, it is most likely because they’ve discovered unrestricted access to furniture, containers, and firewood, which is their food. 

 

Dampwood Termites

Dampwood termites, as opposed to Drywood termites, prefer a moisture-rich environment. These termites are attracted to wet woods and trees and build their nests in damp soils. Homes with leaking pipes and high humidity in kitchens and basements attract these pests.

 

 

How Do Termites Get into Homes? 

Like most pests, termites are drawn to food, shelter, and water. Termites are drawn to areas where they may quickly get and have unhindered access to these items.

Food: Termites are drawn to consume wood and cellulose materials. The presence of materials like lumber, paper, and firewood, are appetizing to these pests, which draws them inside homes. 

Shelter: These pests prefer a warm, dark, and wet environment. In a typical home setting, they may be seen crawling around attics, crawlspaces, garages, or places in homes where there is firewood. 

Water: Termites can be drawn to your home if improperly drained gutters or downspouts exist. This is because termites are drawn to the soil’s moisture buildup. Termites find the surroundings highly appealing because of the high water content. 

 

What are the Signs that My Home Has Termites? 

Early detection of termite infections can help worsen the damage they can inflict on homes. The best way to prevent termite damage is to identify and control infestations as quickly as possible. Here are the signs of possible termite presence in your home: 

 

Wall damage

There are numerous ways that this can manifest. Termite-damaged drywall develops little pinprick holes, a discolored droopy appearance, paint chips, and wallpaper flaking off the wall.

 

Floor harm 

If the wood in your home absorbs more moisture than usual, you have a termite infestation. Wooden floors may buckle and distort as a result of this. Tiles might become loose from their fittings, and laminates can peel.

 

Pellets in small piles

Termite feces resemble little salt-and-pepper or sawdust piles.

 

Visual patterns in woods

If your home has wooden furniture, flooring, or wall decorations, and it is infected, you’ll notice patterns. These patterns look like a maze stretching across the wooden surface. 

 

How to Prevent Termites at Home? 

 

Keep your home clean

Termites thrive in dirty places where they can hide. Keep your home neat at all times. 

 

Take plumbing issues seriously

It is essential to keep in mind and fix leaks at home that may cause excess moisture and water damage which can attract pests like termites from entering homes. 

 

Avoid using raw wooden furniture

Instead of buying wooden furniture, you can invest in painted or varnished wood that does not attract termites. 

 

Keep the home moisture limited

Excess moisture allows termites to live and survive in homes, make sure to restrict moisture so as not to attract termites. 

 

Get an annual termite inspection 

Getting a yearly inspection is an excellent investment as it saves you from more significant termite damage.  

 

Get Termite Control & Treatment with Horne’s Pest Control!

Termite infections are scary and expensive to treat. But with Horne’s Termite Control Service and our three-prong approach to treating termites infected homes, they are easier to defeat. An infestation can cause more harm the longer it persists. If you have an infestation, get a free estimate from us, and get in touch to find out more about our effective termite treatment.