The return: what to do when termites come back and re-infest your home
To call termites “pests” is simultaneously truth and an understatement. Most pests are simply dirty—you simply don’t want them in your home. Termites, on the other hand, are destructive on a whole other level: left unchecked, they can destroy your home. As another kick in the shins, a home that has been previously infested by termites is at higher risk for re-infestation. That’s when termites come back for round two.
In this article, we’ll review the early warning signs of a termite comeback, and what homeowners who have previously had termites need to know. If you suspect that termites have returned, you need an expert by your side. Call KY-KO Pest Prevention for a free termite inspection and termite treatment services here in Mesa and the Phoenix metro.
What you can do to prevent re-infestation
There are several ways in which you can prevent termites from returning. For one, you can remove soil-to-wood contact around your home. Make sure storm drains empty a few feet away from the foundation of your home. Also, eliminate other sources of excess moisture.
During swarming season (typically spring), keep outdoor lights off at night. If you need outdoor lighting, relocate lights to recessed areas of the home and away from doors and windows, as light attracts termites.
These are not guarantees that you’ll avoid a termite re-infestation. But, they do help, and they represent small things that homeowners can do on a regular basis.
Early warning signs of re-infestation
The key to preventing re-infestation is being proactive. By maintaining a termite protection plan and checking your home on a periodic basis for termite damage, you can spot a potential issue before it becomes a full-fledged problem.
Be on the active lookout for the most-common signs of termite activity:
- Hollowed or damaged wood
- Blisters in wood flooring
- Mud tubes
- Termite droppings
- Discarded wings
If you’ve had termites before, you might know what some of these signs look like, or where the infestation was centered before. Check that space (foundations, attic, and more) again to make sure that termites haven’t returned to the same place.
Here’s the bad news: if you notice any of the above signs, a swarm is likely already present. However, you may have caught them early. It’s time to call in the pros.
What to do when termites return
When termites want to become your destructive tenants again, you need to do what you did when you discovered them in the first place: contact KY-KO Pest Prevention for our termite control services.
When you work with our termite removal company, the first thing we will do is inspect your home to determine the extent of the problem. We will also look for the presence of other factors that may influence cost and treatment options.
Next, we will treat both the soil surrounding your home and the home’s structure itself. Finally, we will create a barrier around your home to keep termites from reaching your home via underground tunnels.
Call KY-KO when termites come back
If you suspect that you have termites or if you’ve had them before, contact our company for a free inspection.