What Do I Do If I Think My Waldorf Home Has Termites?

If you’re concerned that your Waldorf home has termites, you’re unfortunately in good company. Termites infest about 600,000 homes yearly in the U.S. That’s why, at your first worry, you should contact a professional Waldorf pest control company like Mike’s Pest and Termite Control for help. We have more than 20 years of experience in the industry and have the training and materials needed to either get rid of your termite problem or prevent you from ever having one.

What Does A Termite Infestation Look Like?

In Waldorf, one of the most common types of termites we have is the eastern subterranean termite. There are several different signs that you have a termite problem, including:

• Windows and doors that stick due to frame warping

• Bubbling paint or wallpaper from drywall damage

• Crumbling baseboards that have been eaten

• Termite swarmers or discarded termite wings in spring and summer

• Mud tubes running up your foundation where subterranean termites travel

• Buckling wood anywhere in your home

• Drooping drywall from internal damage

• Pinpoint holes in drywall

• Loose tiles from excess moisture in the subflooring

• Extra squeaky floors 

• Maze-like patterns on walls, floors, or furniture

If you see any of these signs, you’ve probably got termites. Fortunately for you, Mike’s Pest and Termite Control knows how to provide subterranean termite treatment in Waldorf. 

How Much Damage Can Termites Cause In My Home?

The short answer is a lot. Termites are hard to detect and can eat you out of house and home in a matter of years. They eat structural wood like wall studs, floor joists, and ceiling beams. They eat hardwood floors. They even eat books and stacks of paper. Every year, termites cause five billion dollars in damage to U.S. homes, the vast majority of which is not covered by homeowners insurance. 

Subterranean termite damage on your Waldorf property isn’t limited to just your home. They can also damage trees, outbuildings, playsets, decks, porch steps, and any other wooden structure on your property. If you think you’re immune to termite damage because you live in an established neighborhood, keep in mind that there are approximately 14 termite colonies on every acre of land. If you have that corner lot with ¼ acre of land, you may have as many as 4 separate termite colonies living on your property.

Why Does My House Have Termites?

Your house has termites because it’s made of wood. That’s the simple answer. Now for the more complicated one. Somewhere in your house, there’s likely some wood that’s water-damaged. That’s what the subterranean termites will find first. That’s their entry point. From there, they spread throughout your home, eating whatever wood and paper products they can find.

As termite specialists for your Waldorf property, we’d like to offer some tips to help you prevent termites from being attracted to your home, including:

• Don’t let wood or paper products, like mulch, timber, firewood, stacked newspapers, or piles of cardboard boxes touch your home.

• Make sure water is being diverted away from your home. Fix leaky fixtures and pipes, aerate your lawn, use downspout extenders or splash stones, and clean your gutters.

• Replace any water-damaged or moldy wood you find when inspecting your house.

• Use dehumidifiers in your basement and crawlspaces to make them less hospitable for subterranean termites.

Regular termite inspections from qualified home pest control professionals can ensure any termite issues are detected and treated before these pests do serious damage to your home.

What's The Best Way To Get Rid Of Termites?

If you need to know how to get rid of termites, the answer is simple: Call Mike’s Pest and Termite Control today. We’ll come out and inspect your house from the attic to the crawlspace for harborage areas, indications of damage, and signs of current activity. Contact us today to schedule your free inspection.