Be aware of termites while you’re outside inspecting your home. Termites can easily go undetected until significant damage has been done. Look for tell tale signs like flaking wood or mud buildup and tunneling systems in the exterior wood of your home. Professional pest control inspections are recommended if you have any suspicions of possible infestation.

Not only termites can cause damage to homes, but so do carpenter ants, carpenter bees and powder post beetles. These insidious creatures are very efficient at causing damage, so we are always are on the lookout for evidence of these insects. Termites build what are known as shelter tubes or mud tubes (see the sample picture).

These are the conduits through which termites travel, and many times they are spotted in the most difficult to see areas, but can also be quite obvious. One of the most common areas where termites enter is behind the front and rear steps. Other common entry points are where piping enters the foundation, or where the pit for the main plumbing trap is located. Wooden covers over these pits are like ‘ringing the dinner bell’ for termites. We always recommend wood covers be replaced with metal covers that are not attractive to termites.