Are Termites Eating You Out of House and Home?

            In 2012the southern states saw the highest numbers of termite swarmers in years. As most know, 2011 was plagued with a severe lack of rain in Texas along with many other states along the gulf coast and parts of the Midwest. As 2011 turned into 2012, the first quarter saw record high temperatures and plenty of rain to set the stage for the large swarms of subterranean termites seen as early as January in cities like Houston. And now as have completed the first quarter of 2013 with significantly cooler temperatures, one can only speculate if swarms will be anything like what we saw last year. Is your home prepared? Often times, homeowners do not realize their home is under attack until they begin to see alates which are the winged reproductive termites known as swarmers. The most common type of termite in the United States is the Eastern Subterranean Termite which often can give them away when the swarmers are flying into your house. But do not be mistaken, there are over 4,000 species of termites worldwide and not all are as easily noticeable and some such as the Drywood Termite can be significantly more destructive. Visible termite activity is usually sparked by warm and wet weather. As the earth changes from winter to spring season all matters of life become more active, insects included. A home is one of the most important investments people make throughout life. So what can be done to protect it?

             The answer is that there are many things you can do to provide your investment with top notch protection. The better news is you can do most of this yourself. Here are three effective things that you can do:

1.       If you are currently in the process of purchasing a home, it is always recommended to have it inspected for termites. The great part about having a termite inspection does is that they are very reasonable. Most inspections cost around $65-$100. Try to find an inspector with a good reputation as well as someone who has been doing it for a long time. Termites are invasive creatures and it takes years of experience to become proficient at targeting their hotspots.

2.       If you already have a home and suspect you may have termites, call a local pest control company. Most companies have begun to offer free termite inspections and will come out and help you determine if you have any issues. Again, the credibility of the company is important.