There are many myths regarding termites. Unfortunately, some of these myths give people a false sense of security when it comes to termite infestations. Learn the truth about termites and be one step closer to protecting your Dallas home.
1. Termites are part of the ant family.
Many people confuse termites for ants. For that reason, there's a myth that termites are related to ants. Despite their similarity in appearances, ants and termites are not closely related. Termites are, in fact, related to cockroaches.
2. Termites can eat through concrete.
If you have a concrete block home, you might still have concerns about termites. While there are still ways for termites to enter and affect your property, they won't eat through concrete.
But termites can eat through other materials. Although they prefer wood, termites can eat through insulation and some other building materials. They may also enter a home through cracks or crevices only to eat your wood furniture. Unless you use pest control, there's no way to guarantee that termites will leave your home alone.
3. A brick house on a concrete slab is safe from termites.
Much like concrete, brick is too solid for termites to eat through. But, if your brick home is on a concrete slab, it's still susceptible to termite damage. This isn't because the termites will eat through the concrete, but because there are other ways termites can enter your home.
A concrete slab creates a moist environment, which termites love. They'll go under the slab and will find ways to enter your home through expansion joints, plumbing holes, and wiring holes.
4. Treated for termites once never have to worry again.
One termite treatment isn't enough to protect your home. If you really want to deter these pests, you need to work hard to keep them away. That means having a pest control company come out and create a long-term plan of action. After inspecting your home and looking for potential problems, a technician will offer a regular treatment plan.
5. Termite infestations are easy to detect.
The sooner you detect a termite infestation, the less damage your home will experience. However, it's not always obvious that you have termites in your home. At first, they eat away at your wood and remain hidden in the walls. Only after they do significant damage do they leave behind visible signs of their presence.
But there are ways you can detect an issue before you notice your wood being eaten away. For instance, you might hear clicking from inside your walls. Termites use clicking noises to communicate, so listening to your walls is one way to find out about an infestation. Another sign of termites is the warping of your windows. Often, termite damage resembles water damage.
6. A termite swarm is a sign of an infestation.
If you see many termites flying around your property, you might be concerned. A termite swarm happens when a group of termites flies around looking for new places to colonize. When you see a swarm, it means that they could choose to take over your property. But they also might choose to go somewhere else. If you see a swarm, you don't need to fret. You can contact a professional before termites colonize and put your home in danger.
7. DIY termite control is a good, cost-effective option.
For the time being, DIY termite control is the cheaper option. But it costs more in the long-run. Most DIY methods are ineffective and leave your home vulnerable. The costs of repairing termite damage could cost you far more than investing in termite control from a pest control company.
The truth is, it takes a professional help to fight termites. If you work with an experienced company, you can take comfort in knowing that your home is safe. We will prevent an infestation and eliminate any current termites in your home. To get started, contact All-Safe.