Termite Structural Damage in the Bay Area

Termites are a serious threat to homes and businesses, causing millions of dollars of damage each year. They can wreak havoc on the wooden structural elements of a house, but did you know that they can also damage your foundation? This news might surprise you, since termites primarily feed on cellulose, which is found in plant materials, including paper, cardboard, and wood. However, while they don’t eat the concrete, termites can weaken the foundation by increasing the size of cracks. The tiniest crack can allow termites to enter your home and create a new colony. As they come through those cracks, they bring moisture with them, and some termites even attract fungus, which can further weaken the foundation. What’s more, if your home has a wood-heavy post and pier foundation, it is extremely vulnerable to these wood-eating insects. Early detection of termites is the key to successfully eradicating them and protecting your home against future infestation.

Signs of a Termite Infestation Around the Foundation

Termites spend their lives underground or inside wood, so you are not likely to see the actual insects. However, you will notice signs that they are present. If you have subterranean termites, there will be mud tubes along the foundation or exterior walls. Termites use these tubes to gain entry to your home, because they need to stay moist and out of the outside air. You might also notice that your floors are squeaky or have loose floorboards. Cracks in the foundation may be getting wider, and your foundation may experience water damage because of the termite infestation.

Avoiding Termites

There are steps homeowners can take to keep termites from infiltrating their homes. To keep your home safe, keep wood away from the foundation and siding. This includes mulch and firewood. Firewood should be stored off of the ground, away from the house. Keep moisture under control, making sure there is proper drainage around your foundation, keeping your gutters clean, and fixing leaks as quickly as possible. But most importantly, enlist the help of termite control professionals, to apply barrier treatments and protect your home from future infestations.

Common Signs of Termites

Foundation-related signs are not the only manifestations of termites in a house. Young reproductive termites swarm seasonally, looking for mates and new locations to form colonies. Sometimes, you will see these swarmers, but the more common sign of their presence is discarded wings on window sills and around doorways. Termites in walls will often leave pinprick holes, and termite droppings, known as frass, can be found on the ground beneath these holes. Some signs might not be obvious if you don’t know what you’re looking for in terms of signs of termites. For example, bubbled paint or wallpaper can indicate termite activity in the wall behind it. Windows and doors might stick because of moisture damage from termites creating tunnels throughout the house. Additionally, you may be able to tell that you have a termite infestation if the wood in your walls sounds hollow. Termites tunnel through wood, eating it from the inside out, and often leave just a thin layer of wood on the surface.

Termite Damage Repair

Termite foundation treatment differs based on how much damage has already been done. If the termite infestation is minor, and there has been minimal damage, you may only need to replace the affected wood and treat the surrounding area. If the damage is severe and threatening the structural integrity of your home, you will need professional contractors to reinforce or replace affected parts of your foundation. No matter how much damage has been done, one of the most important steps you can take is to prevent future infestations.

Trust MightyMite to Prevent Termite Damage

When you need termite treatment at home, do not rely on DIY methods. Instead, call on professionals who can provide whole house and foundation termite treatment, to eradicate an infestation and prevent termites from returning. To protect your home against termite damage in the Bay Area, call the termite control professionals at Mighty Mite Termite Services. At Mighty Mite, we’ve earned a reputation as experts in California termite control. We perform termite inspections to ensure that your home is free of termites and work hard to help you keep it that way, using termite treatments that are naturally derived and have a low impact on the environment. We diagnose and treat infestations with the most effective methods and unmatched warranties, solving your termite problems the first time, with an industry best “no call-back rate.” That, combined with our experience, highly trained and licensed professional staff, makes us the leading extermination company in the Bay Area. We understand that your home is your most important investment, so we work hard to provide excellent service, utilizing best practices to solve our customers’ termite problems. For more information, email Info@mightymitetermite.com, call us today at 408.335.7053, or contact us through our website.