How to Prevent Termite Damage: The Silent Destroyer of Homes

October 26, 2021

Every homeowner fears the threat of termite damage to their home! Especially since it can be hard to detect these silent, wood-eating invaders. Oftentimes, termites will go unnoticed until it’s too late and significant damage has been done. And while they are tiny pests, termites can wreak serious havoc on a home if not taken care of quickly and efficiently. Our termite control experts at Preferred Pest Control want to put our local homeowner's; minds at ease with helpful advice on how to prevent termites and avoid costly damages.

Can termites be prevented?

Yes, with regular check-ups and termite prevention treatment plans you can keep termites away and avoid damage to your home. We believe termite prevention treatments are the best method when termites have been identified in nearby homes or trees since termite damage can be costly and in some cases hard to repair.

Preventative measures will not only help you avoid future infestations, but will significantly reduce your home's likelihood of sustaining termite damage. Having professional termite control experts take the time to examine your home and any common nesting locations for termites will ensure your home is healthy and pest-free.

How often should I get a termite inspection?

An inspection for termites is typically recommended every two to three years. If your home is at greater risk due to a home near you with a termite infestation, then annual inspections are recommended. Termites travel from shelter to shelter and your home just may be their next stop.

Older homes tend to be more susceptible to termites and termite damage because they typically lack the structural integrity to keep pests out. Older homes do not have termite resistant pressure treated wood on their foundation sill plates, making any damage caused more significant and potentially dangerous. Homes with a lot of trees on the property or wooden structures like fences and sheds, are also at a greater risk for termite damage as they provide an abundant food source for their colonies.

How To Tell If You Have Termite Damage to Your Home

At only ¼ to a ½ inch in length, termites are extremely hard to spot. To make matters worse, termites attack a home from the inside and for many homeowners who experience a termite infestation, the problem isn’t detected until after extensive damage has already been inflicted to the home. Luckily, there are a few tell-tale signs of a termite infestation you can look for on your property. They include:

• Cracked or bubbled paint
• Shelter tubes
• Damaged or hollow wood
• Swarmers (winged adult termites that come out in the spring)  

As always, our professionals recommend an expert’s opinion for the absolute best protection against termites. When you reach out to Preferred Pest Control’s termite control experts in Des Moines who know the signs of a termite infestation and where to look for termite damage, you can rest assured knowing your home is safe and protected from the destructive pests.

How long does it take termites to cause damage?

It typically takes two to three years of chewing for noticeable termite damage to show up. However, significant structural damage caused by termites typically takes five to ten years to occur.

The fact of the matter is termites work very quickly and if an infestation isn’t taken care of in a timely manner, severe damage can be done to your home putting those in and around it in potential danger. Termites even reproduce at a rapid rate and can quickly grow their colony size and cause even more damage. Getting ahead of the problem before it gets out of hand is critical for preventing costly damage to your home.

Keep Your Home Safe With a Termite Protection Plan

Not all homeowners know how to prevent termites and they shouldn’t have to. When our experts are called to treat termites in Des Moines, we encourage the homeowner to sign up for our termite protection plan. It provides homeowners with the highest level of protection against termites and termite damage. Preferred Pest Control’s termite technicians are Sentricon® certified specialists who follow a 5-step process that utilizes a highly effective Sentricon® bait system. When you reach out to us, we’ll install the bait stations around the perimeter of your home, and they’ll immediately start attacking the problem from the source.

Each bait station contains an active ingredient called Recruit® HD termite bait to attract worker termites who are in charge of gathering food and bringing it back to the Queen and colony. Although poisonous, the bait is considered to be 10 times more attractive to termites than wood! Thus, eliminating the entire termite colony, including the Queen, as it is shared amongst the termites.

Bait stations are placed underground where termites are likely to travel and scavenge for food. However, if your particular problem is above ground, we will install Sentricon® Recruit® AG stations in your home where the colony is located. Learn more about Sentricon® termite control, our highly effective method to treat termites in Des Moines.

Sign Up For Sentricon Termite Control in Des Moines

As leading experts for termite control in Des Moines, our technicians will eliminate your termite problem quickly and efficiently. For immediate assistance with a termite infestation or to sign up for our Sentricon® Termite Service Plan, schedule an appointment with us online or give us a call at (515) 415-5550 today! Or, ensure all pests keep out of your home when you sign up for our quarterly pest service plan. We look forward to helping you maintain a pest-free home.