Termites are among the many pests that can endanger the structural integrity and safety of your home. Termites eat the cellulose within wood, which leads to billions of dollars of damage annually across the United States. Termites can also encourage the growth of mold within the house, as they leave behind moisture in the wooden structure. Most notably, termites multiply extremely quickly, which means that being even a little late to address a termite infestation can allow the damage they cause to worsen exponentially. For these reasons, it is important to identify and deal with termite infestations as soon as possible. 

If you suspect that your house has a termite infestation, it is critical to confirm it as soon as possible. Common signs of termites include hollow-sounding wood, frass (termite droppings), sounds within your walls, or mud tubes along the wall. If any of these signs appear, it is safe to assume that there is a termite infestation that needs to be dealt with immediately. Even if you are unable to verify the signs yourself with certainty and have a mild suspicion, trust your gut and do not ignore it. 

For peace of mind, seek out a licensed exterminator who offers free termite inspection. Once a thorough inspection confirms the presence of termites, extermination should follow swiftly. Time is of the essence as the cost of repairing damage will continue to rise as long the infestation persists without intervention.

Though dealing with termites may seem daunting, there are several different professional methods that will effectively clean out the entire colony, killing the termites and preventing them from coming back. Traditional fumigation is one method to treat deep infestations that affect a significant area of a property. However, fumigation can be toxic to people, pets, and plants—these forms of life and food and medication must be vacated from the home during the fumigation process followed by a short waiting period. For this reason, fumigation is often reserved for extreme cases of infestation. 

Less severe methods can be used for milder cases of infestation affecting a certain area of the property. Natural Science Exterminating is an Orange County exterminator company that employs orange oil for natural spot treatment and a borate salt solution for prevention. These non-toxic and environmentally safe methods keep your pets and family unbothered. Spot treatments and natural ingredients are more likely to be an option to get the job done when the infestation is detected as early as possible, which is why inspections are so important. Tent fumigation tends to be the only option when things have gotten really bad. Borates can also be used preventively with TAP insulation, serving as thermal and acoustic insulation while also killing pests and preventing them from becoming a larger threat to your home.

Left unchecked, termite infestations can cause serious damage to your home within a short period. It’s important to be vigilant and always keep an eye out for the signs, so that if you notice something unusual, you will be able to quickly identify signs of infestation and take preventative measures. It is just as important to hire a reputable professional exterminator to ensure that all traces of infestation are removed, preventing further damage and returning your home back to its state of normalcy.