Manatee County's Complete Guide To Drywood Termite Control
8/27/2021
While there are three main types of termites, drywood termites can be one of the more hazardous – unlike dampwood or subterranean termites, drywood termites get all the moisture and humidity they need from munching on wood.
Since they don’t rely on soil, drywood termites have more opportunities to be destructive to your home. If you’re a resident in Manatee County, Florida, here’s what you need to know about recognizing the signs of drywood termites on your property, what to do if you have them, and how you can help prevent these pests in the future.
Signs Of A Drywood Termite Infestation In Manatee County, FL
Unfortunately, the signs of a drywood termite infestation aren’t always obvious – these pests may go months before they’re discovered, so it is helpful to be on the lookout for warning signs, such as:
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Discarded termite wings lying around your home, especially near windows or around other light sources
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Tiny mounds, or termite droppings, around your property
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Hollow sounding wood when you tap or hit the wall
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Walls that look like they’ve got water damage or paint that begins peeling or bubbling
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Soft clicking sounds coming from the walls, which comes from the termites banging against the walls
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Doors or windows that suddenly get stuck all the time when you try to open them
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Wood tunnels in your walls or damaged wood where termites have dug their tunnels
As their name suggests, you’re likely to find drywood termites in your walls or floors – these pests love to feast on drywood, so they tend to make their colonies where they have easy access to their food source.
How To Handle A Drywood Termite Infestation In Manatee County, FL
Unfortunately, termites aren’t easy to get rid of once the infestation has taken root in your home. By the time that many homeowners realize they’ve got termites, there’s been enough structural damage and the colony has grown large enough that it can be difficult to exterminate them yourself. Not to mention, some termite infestations can be deeply rooted and require multiple rounds or different types of treatment to get rid of the active infestation.
At Keller’s Pest Control, our experienced technicians are well-trained when it comes to making your home termite-free. Not only can we identify the source and the location of any termite colonies, but we may also be able to help identify what structural damage they’ve caused.
If you’ve started to see signs of a termite infestation in your home, don’t wait to reach out – call us at Keller’s Pest Control today to learn more about our termite control program.
How To Prevent Future Drywood Termite Infestations In Manatee County, FL
While the best way to handle an active infestation is with professional help, there are some measures you can take to prevent future drywood termite infestations, including:
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Keep firewood or other scrap wood at least twenty feet away from your home.
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Seal gaps or cracks around pipes and water lines where drywood termites may enter your home.
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Keep wood, including wooden siding, at least six inches off the ground.
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Address excess moisture issues around your home, like leaky pipes, faucets, or flooding gutters.
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Get an annual inspection to make sure a termite infestation hasn’t taken root.