Houston Termite Control

How Do You Know If Termites Are in Your Walls?

Termites often remain elusive due to their ability to stay hidden within the walls of a home. This stealthy nature allows them to continue causing damage undetected, sometimes for many months or even years. Recognizing the subtle signs of an infestation can help you catch and address the problem before extensive structural damage occurs.

Here are some key warning signs of an infestation:

• Mud tubes. Termites often construct mud tubes as protective pathways between their colony and a food source. These tubes are typically found along foundation walls, support beams, or connecting to other entry points in a home. Their presence is a strong indication of subterranean termites at work and should not be ignored.
• Soft and hollow-sounding wood. When termites consume wood, they leave behind empty tunnels. Tapping on suspected areas with a solid object may result in a hollow sound, pointing to compromised structural integrity. This is often accompanied by wood that feels noticeably soft or sponge-like when certain areas are probed.
• Frass (termite droppings). Some species of termites leave behind tiny, pellet-like droppings called frass. These often accumulate near the infested wood, appearing as small mounds or scattered piles. 
• Discarded wings. Termites swarm to mate and establish new colonies. Post-swarming, they shed their wings, leaving behind small piles near windowsills, doors, or other light sources. These discarded wings are often the first sign of an active termite presence.
• Blistering or bubbling paint. As termites tunnel through walls and furniture, they can cause layers beneath the surface to buckle. This damage sometimes appears externally as blistering or bubbling paint, which may be initially mistaken for water damage.

What to Do If You See Termites Around Your House

You should never underestimate termites. If you discover signs of these pests in your home, you need to schedule a professional inspection carried out by licensed termite control technicians. By the time visual evidence of the infestation surfaces, the colony may have already caused considerable destruction. Professional intervention at the earliest signs of termite intrusion can help control the problem before it escalates.

Our Houston termite control crews have the experience and tools to accurately assess the severity of the infestation, and our approach to eradicating these pests is systematic and comprehensive. During your complimentary inspection, we will identify active colonies and assess the extent of the infestation, allowing us to create a customized treatment plan.

We typically utilize baiting systems and chemical barriers to strategically target termite nests. Our crews will place bait stations are placed around your home that contain substances that attract termites. The termites will ingest the bait and carry it back to the colony, gradually eliminating the entire population. In conjunction with baiting, we may apply liquid termiticides to create an invisible barrier around your home, killing termites that attempt to breach it.

In addition to these methods, we may use direct wood treatment for isolated infestations within furniture or structural wood components. This involves applying a specialized termiticide directly to the affected areas to destroy any lingering pests. 

Throughout the process, we focus on safety. Our crews use proven products that are highly effective against termites but environmentally friendly and safe for use around people and pets.

What Kinds of Damage Can Termites Cause to Your Houston Home?

Termites pose significant risks to the structural integrity and aesthetic appeal of homes, particularly in regions like Houston, where the climate can exacerbate their activity. Regular inspections and immediate action upon detection can prevent the escalation of damage, preserving both the safety and value of your home.

Termites can cause many types of serious damage, including:

• Structural damage. Termites primarily feed on wood, and in doing so, they can severely compromise the structural elements of your home. Termite colonies can hollow out support beams, floor joists, and wall studs, leading to sagging floors, cracked walls, and, in extreme cases, structural collapse. This type of damage can pose serious safety hazards and often requires extensive repair work.
• Aesthetic damage. Beyond the structural harm, termites can also tarnish the visual appeal of your home. Their tunneling activity can destroy your wooden furniture, hardwood floors, and molding. This damage not only affects your home's appearance but can also diminish its market value. Replacing these elements can be costly, requiring careful restoration to match the original design.
• Insulation damage. Termites are known to damage insulation within walls and ceilings as they tunnel to reach wood. This compromise in insulation can harm your home’s energy efficiency, potentially increasing utility bills as your heating and cooling systems work harder to maintain desired temperatures.
• Plumbing and wiring complications. Although termites do not feed on plastic or metal, their relentless pursuit of cellulose can lead them through plumbing and electrical conduits. This activity can result in damaged wiring or leaking pipes, posing significant risks like electrical fires or water damage.

How to Keep Termites Away

Preventing termites from invading your Houston home requires a proactive approach and a combination of strategies that aim to deter these pests from establishing themselves. Our Houston termite control experts can evaluate how these pests may have initially entered your home and make personalized recommendations for steps you can take to keep them out.

Some of the tips we often give Houston homeowners include:

• Reduce moisture levels. Termites are attracted to moist environments, so it's important to address any sources of excess moisture in and around your home. This can include fixing leaky pipes or faucets, ensuring proper drainage away from the house, and using dehumidifiers in crawl spaces or basements to keep the area dryer.
• Properly store wood and mulch. Keep firewood, lumber, and other wood products stored away from the walls of your home and elevated to reduce contact with soil. Additionally, avoid using excessive mulch near your foundation, as it retains moisture and can be an attractive food source for termites.
• Seal entry points. Inspect your home's exterior for cracks or gaps in the foundation, walls, or roof that could serve as entry points for termites. Use caulk or other appropriate sealants to close these openings, paying particular attention to areas around utility pipes and lines.
• Maintain landscaping: Trim back any trees, shrubs, or plants that are in direct contact with your home. This reduces the "bridge" that termites can use to reach your home's structure from the ground. Regularly remove dead leaves and plant debris that accumulate around your home’s foundation.
• Inspect and treat wooden structures. Routine inspections of decks, fences, and other wooden structures surrounding your home can help identify signs of termite activity early. Consider hiring our professionals to treat these wooden elements with termite-resistant materials or chemical barriers to deter infestations.
• Schedule regular professional inspections. Hiring our pest control professionals to conduct regular termite inspections can be an effective preventative measure, especially if you’ve had pest problems in the past. Our experts at Critter One are trained to identify the early signs of termite presence and implement tailored solutions to mitigate risk.

Does Houston’s Humid Climate Contribute to Termite Risk? 

Termites, particularly subterranean species, are highly attracted to moisture, which supports their colonization and tunneling activities. The persistent humidity in Houston keeps the soil damp, providing a conducive setting for termite nests to flourish beneath the ground. Furthermore, the warm temperatures prevalent year-round accelerate termite breeding cycles, allowing for rapid population growth. This prevalence of termites in Houston necessitates a vigilant approach to pest management, as the local climate not only tends to sustain termite activity but also exacerbate the speed at which this activity can lead to structural damage in homes.

Let our team tackle your termite problem! Call (726) 200-1018 or contact us online today.