How To Prepare Your Western Massachusetts Home For Termites

Termites cost homeowners billions of dollars in property damage every year. Still, there are ways that you can protect your Western Massachusetts home from these pests. Here’s what local residents should know about identifying termites, the signs of an infestation, and how American Pest Solutions can help get rid of termites.

What Do Termites In Western Massachusetts Look Like?

One of the reasons termites can be tricky for homeowners to identify is that these critters can look different based on the type of termite. In Western Massachusetts, some of the most common kinds of termites include:

Subterranean termites: Subterranean termites are the most common termite in the country and Massachusetts. These termites prefer to live underground and have coloring ranging from light brown to dark brown. Reproductive subterranean termites have wings, but the soldier and worker termites do not.

Drywood termites: Drywood termites don’t need constant access to moisture to survive, and they enjoy making their colonies above-ground in dry wood. These termites are primarily known for their preference for drywall. Their soldier termites have large brown heads with armored jaws. 

Dampwood termites: Dampwood termites may grow their colonies more slowly, and they need access to more moisture than any other type of termite. These critters are strong fliers and can grow up to half an inch in length.

How Do I Know If My Western Massachusetts Home Has Termites?

While you can look for the signs of a termite infestation – which we’ll cover below – there’s really only one foolproof way to know for sure if you have termites: by getting an annual inspection from a pest management company. Since termite damage can take up to eight years before it’s noticeable, many homeowners don’t begin to spot the signs until these pests have already caused significant structural damage.

However, if you work with a specialist from a pest control service like American Pest Solutions, you can catch termite colonies before they’ve spiraled out of control or caused significant damage. Not only can an expert identify where termites may be hiding their colonies in your home, but if there is damage, they can help you discover the extent of it.

What Does A Termite Infestation In Western Massachusetts Look Like?

Even if you hire a professional to perform annual inspections, you should still keep your eyes peeled for potential signs of termites, such as:

Damaged or hollowed wood: Wood that sounds hollow when you tap or step on it could be a sign of drywood termites living inside your walls. If you look inside, this hollow wood may have a honeycomb interior from the hollowed-out tunnels that these termites have created.

Blisters in your wooden flooring: Subterranean termites can damage the subfloor in your home. One result is blistering, which comes from the excess moisture that termites introduce into the floor.

Mud tubes: Subterranean termites create mud tubes around the foundations of infested homes. The tunnels help create the optimal temperature and humidity levels that these critters need to travel and survive inside your home.

Droppings: Termite droppings, also called frass, may resemble sawdust. Drywood termites kick out their droppings when they tunnel through your walls, and you may find these tiny pellets piled around your baseboards or other places with high termite activity.

Evidence of termite swarms: When they’re looking for a mate, reproductive termites will fly in swarms around your property. You may not see the actual swarm but instead find piles of discarded wings left behind.

How Does American Pest Solutions Get Rid Of Termites?

The only effective solution to getting rid of termites is working with a professional pest management service. At American Pest Solutions, our termite control services begin with a thorough inspection of your home. Once we’ve uncovered the root of the infestation and the extent of the damage, we’ll come up with a customized treatment plan to meet the needs of your home. If you suspect you’ve got termites in your Western Massachusetts home, don’t wait for the damage to become worse – call us today at American Pest Solutions to learn more about how we can help.