When the temperature increases, your home becomes a target for damaging insects. These pests can lower your property values, weaken the structural integrity of your house, and threaten the health of your family and pets. Insects such as termites and carpenter ants may harm your lawn, garden and even the interior of your house. By identifying which pests are responsible for the damage, you can take appropriate steps to safeguard your property, including contacting professional pest control Staten Island.
Termites
Damage to property caused by termites forces Americans to spend billions of dollars each year. Termites can threaten your aging trees, the foundation of your home and interior walls. Identifying the presence of termites is a difficult task that warrants professional assistance. Termite damage is not apparent to the average homeowner, but a few signs of the pests can help you determine the extent of the problem. Winged termites flying near the foundation or interior of your home is a clue that the insects are a threat to your property. Small, earthen tubes appearing along the foundation of your house can also signal a possible infestation. However, the insects can occupy a home for years without displaying any clues.
Carpenter Ants
Although they are more common in northern regions of the United States, carpenter ants are problematic throughout the country. When constructing their nests, the ants burrow through wet or rotten wood. Repairing water leaks caused by broken pipes or storm damage can decrease the likelihood of carpenter ant damage. Common targets of the pests are chimneys, window frames and crawlspaces. If you observe sawdust piles or tiny pieces of wood located around your home, carpenter ants may be a problem.
Spring weather is a welcome change after struggling through a brutal winter, but it is also the ideal time for insects to invade your home. Termites and carpenter ants pose a serious threat to your property and should not be left untreated. As a homeowner, you can identify signs of insect damage, but only a professional should administer treatments to protect your home.