No matter how well you guard your home, it could be under attack from pests that you have no clue about. One of these nuisances and the most devastating of them all are termites. Termites can invade your home any time of the day without notice. Once in, they start eating away at the integrity of your home, making it even uninhabitable. So, it’s crucial that you find them, destroy them forever.

How do you know if termites are present in your home?

Telltale signs of a termite infestation

A termite infestation is always spotted late or maybe after some damage has already been done. But if you see these signs, be sure about an impending danger that’s lurking in your home.

  • Hollow wood or holes: Termites prey on wooden materials. From door frames to furniture, everything can succumb to a termite attack. Tap and see if they are hollow from inside or look for tiny holes in the wood.
  • Mud tunnels: Subterranean termites use mud tunnels to travel to and fro between their food source and nest. You might have seen it on walls of dilapidated buildings. 
  • Frass: Looks almost like sawdust, these are the droppings of drywood termites, which they leave behind after boring tables and chairs. 
  • Broken wings: This is most noticeable after a rainy day or during the spring season and caused by termite swarmers. This cannot be seen as a threat though. It is a hint that their nest is somewhere nearby your home.

These can be considered both signs as well as ways through which termites begin to infest your home. If you suspect any of these signs, seek professional help before it is too late.

Among their many species, only a few types are potentially dangerous to human beings. 

Types of termites and the damage they are likely to cause you

There is no denying that termites can damage your building. They live in groups called colonies, attack in groups and live on wood cellulose. So, the damage is evident.

  • Subterranean termites dwell in the soil, often underground. They access your home by making cracks in the foundation, causing structural damage to your building. They can eat kilograms of wood in a matter of days. 
  • Formosan termites, the most notorious of all termites, belong to the subterranean termite family. Wood is their favourite meal. They start with your walls, ceilings gradually infesting the whole building, and even trees in the backyard.
  • Drywood termites also feed on wood but from the inside. Doors and furniture infested by these pests may appear good externally but can collapse upon touching. 
  • Dampwood termites on the other hand thrive on damp walls or rotting wood. They are attracted to the kitchen, bathroom, and wet areas.

In short, a termite infestation can cost you your home. Ignore it at your peril!

How can we prevent a termite infestation?

Termite control in Dubai is a challenge due to the conducive environment that it offers to these pests. Right from climatic conditions to thoughtless construction practices, everything encourages termite infestation. 

You may tend to believe that you are safe as your home is new. But, for termites, any home is their food source, whether new or old but you can certainly reduce the risk. 

  • Make sure there is no wood-to-ground contact when constructing your home. 
  • Keep old cartons, papers, and wood artifacts away from your home. 
  • For complete peace of mind, schedule a pre-construction anti-termite treatment before your start constructing it. 

On the other hand, if your house is old and you want to protect it from termites, do the following:

  • Dispose of old, damaged wooden articles, cardboard boxes, papers, etc.
  • Fix plumbing leaks, if any
  • Clean your house, backyard, drain regularly
  • Conduct termite inspection periodically

All these will help you save money. Should you see any of the aforesaid signs anywhere around your house, call a professional pest control team for help rather than fixing it yourself.