Spring is a beautiful season when everything is in bloom and the weather is warming up after the dark days of winter. Unfortunately, spring is also when many wood destroying organisms come out in force, leaving their winter hiding spots to find mates and often find ways into homes and businesses. Termites are one of those springtime organisms, and if they’re left to their own devices they can wreak havoc on your property. In the warmer spring months, termite colonies become overpopulated and termites called swarmers leave their colonies to form new ones. If a new colony forms on your property, it’s important to catch it early, before it spreads.

Termites Cause $5 Billion in Property Damage Every Year

Having been around for over 120 million years, termites are tough little creatures that can be incredibly destructive. They cause about $5 billion in property damage every year, and this damage is often not discovered until it has gone on for a long time and serious harm has been done to a building. That’s why it’s important to have your business inspected for termites in the spring, before they can take hold and build an extensive colony.

When you get a professional termite inspection, you can be proactive about prevention, putting protective measures in place before termites invade your space. During a termite inspection, every part of the building will be inspected, from the outdoor areas to construction joints to crawlspaces, basements, and attics. A professional inspector won’t just look at the areas you use every day, but also signs of termites that might not be obvious to an untrained eye. Having this kind of inspection done annually is a good way to stay on top of any potential issues, and the spring is a great time to schedule your annual inspection. However, if you see any signs of a termite infestation between inspections, you should schedule a visit as soon as possible, to avoid trouble and expense.

Signs you have a Termite Infestation

In addition to having regular professional inspections, it’s wise to keep an eye out for signs of termites.

Look for damage inside the building, like holes and cracks in wood, or bubbling paint.
Knock on support studs, to listen for a hollow sound.
Check for mud tubes, which can be on your ceiling, stairs, or the exterior of your building.
Termite droppings may look like sawdust or a dark powder.
Flying termites, or termite wings discarded by swarmers show that you have a problem.

Rotting wood can be an indication of termite activity, as can wood that seems gnawed.

How to Avoid Termite Infestation

Another smart move is to minimize your business’s risk of termite infestation. There are certain things you can’t control, like geography and weather. However, you can mitigate certain risk factors.

It’s common knowledge that termites are attracted to wood because they feed on cellulose. Wooden structures can attract an infestation, but so can stumps and firewood that are close to the building. Get rid of dead leaves, and store building materials either in a storage unit or away from your building and not in contact with the soil.
Design your landscaping to be termite-proof. Trim back shrubs or branches that may come into contact with the building, as well as any climbing plants. Keep wooden mulch away from the building as well, and don’t plant trees near the building that are known for having roots that spread out. If you’re installing a wooden fence, make sure to leave a 2-inch clearance between the wood and the soil.
Siding should not touch the soil. If siding, brick, stucco, wood, or vinyl is in direct contact with the soil or is installed below grade level, it affords termites the opportunity to build mud tubes between the siding and foundation without being detected.

Make sure your insulation is as termite-proof as possible. Foam insulation can help you conserve energy for your business, but if it’s installed too close to soil or grade, it gives termites an easily penetrable point of entry.
It’s important to make repairs as soon as possible, to prevent termites from gaining access to your home. Leaking taps, pipes, and overflow pipes can raise moisture levels in and under your building, attracting termites, as can poor drainage. Cracks in the foundation or siding can give termites easy entry into your business.

Regular Termite Inspections are Important!

Ultimately, the best way to save your business from expensive termite damage is to be proactive about keeping them at bay. In addition to taking the above steps to make your building less attractive and accessible to termites, enlisting the services of termite professionals is vital. When you call experienced professionals to inspect and treat your business, you can be confident that your property will be safe and protected.

When it’s time to schedule a termite inspection for your business, it’s time to call MightyMite Termite. We perform termite inspections to ensure that your home or business is termite-free. We also work hard to help you keep your property safe from termites, using 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, technology, and highly trained professional staff, makes us the leading extermination company in the Bay Area. We work hard to provide excellent service, utilizing industry best practices to solve our customers’ termite problems in Northern California. For more information, call us today at 408.335.7053, email Info@mightymitetermite.com, or contact us through our website.