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Termites can affect nearly an entire home, leaving a path of destruction and doing ongoing damage until they're exterminated. These pesky creatures are known as silent destructors because their damage can be hard to identify. Homeowners should arm themselves with basic knowledge about termites so they can spot potential issues and get professional help right away. These are the facts you should know. 1) - In some areas of the United States, termites cause more structural damage than fires, floods, and storms combined. 2) - It is a myth that a colony will only attack buildings or structures made of wood. Termites eat cellulose-based plant materials, which are present in all types of construction materials. They cause serious damage to buildings made of wood, brick, stone, and stucco. 3) - They don't just eat houses. A colony will feed on a variety of things, including dead plants and trees, or even dead parts on healthy, living trees. They dig in the soil looking for wood bits there as well. Inside the house, they will attack furniture, books, or anything else with wood material. 4) - Signs of damage can be difficult to spot because of the eating habits of termites. They start from the inside out, hollowing out structural beams or floorboards and chewing right through walls and floors. 5) - In order to reduce the chance of infestation, homeowners should follow a few practices. Moisture problems, such as outdoor leaking faucets, clogged gutters, standing water, should all be addressed. Wood debris should not be stored near the home, including inside the garage or a crawl space. Decks and outdoor wood features should all be treated and checked regularly for any signs of damage. 6) - There are signs of an infestation that every homeowner should look for. Mud tubes along walls or wooden beams are a clear sign of a problem. A springtime swarm of winged insects in any area around the home or the presence of dropped wings are both indicators that a swarming colony is present. Wood beams or structures that are supposed to be solid yet have a hollow sound when tapped on are another indicator of a problem. 7) - Homeowners can be proactive. Because of the potential for serious damage and the financial costs associated with it, many people choose to consult with professionals even when there are no clear signs of an infestation. This proactive approach involves hiring a professional to do a thorough inspection, so that he can catch signs of an infestation before it reaches a critical level. Do you need birmingham termites exterminated. For help ridding your home of pests visit http://www.alabamaprofessional.com.
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