April 9, 2008 – Termites on Tour
It's safe to say that a group of termites could never draw crowds that legends like The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, or Aerosmith have. But guess what...repairing the damage caused by termites will easily cost you ten times as much as any sold-out concert ticket. Did you know that these tiny insects cause over $5 billion in damage each year? That's more than the damage caused by all natural disasters combined!

Hopefully, your structure has been inspected for termites within the past year. But if not, here are a few tips to avoiding termite infestations:

Since termites are attracted to moisture, it is important to prevent water accumulation around the foundation of the structure. This can be accomplished by inspecting gutters and downspouts for any leaves, twigs, or other debris that may be keeping the water from flowing freely away from the structure. It is also important to keep landscape beds away from the walls. Landscaping serves as an excellent cover allowing termites to sneak in.

Remove old tree stumps, roots, and any other wood around and beneath the structure. Wood scraps or waste lumber should never be buried in the yard. Don't forget to clean and inspect wooden decks regularly. Gaps between the soil and wood portions of the structure should be no smaller than one inch.

Damp conditions resulting from leaky roofs, windows that aren't properly sealed, and plumbing leaks will often draw termites, too. Be sure to promptly make necessary repairs in order to avoid costly damage in the future.

Undoubtedly, inspecting for termites has its way of sliding down the 'To Do' list when things get hectic. If you know your structure is past due for a thorough inspection, remember these warning signs:

A typical termite colony will mature in about three to five years. Once it has matured, the colony will begin to produce swarmers, or winged adults. Even though termites are active year round, the swarm season in our area typically begins in March and starts slowing down in late May or June. Discovering swarmers, which closely resemble winged ants, outdoors is not always cause for concern. However, if swarmers are discovered indoors, the structure is most likely infested and will need to be treated.

Another tell-tale sign of termite activity is the presence of mud tubes through which they travel. Termites build these pencil-sized tubes for shelter and they're often found attached to foundation walls and floor joists, hanging from the floor system, and protruding from cracks between boards and beams. If you discover a mud tube, break it open to see if there are active termites inside. Even if termites are not found in the mud tubes, it is still necessary to investigate further. Termites will frequently abandon damaged tubes and rebuild new ones, which could be located in hidden areas.

Be sure to inspect any wood attached to the structure for signs of darkening or blistering. Damaged wood is likely to be very thin and would easily puncture when tapped with a knife or screwdriver.

While there is a possibility for termite damage to go undetected, the chances are greatly reduced when a structure has been thoroughly inspected by an experienced professional. If you suspect termites of closing in on you, contact one of our offices. An Action Professional will thoroughly inspect your structure and it won't cost you a thing.

Related Document: Spring 08' Newsletter.pdf