The warm weather and humidity in Davenport, Florida are perfect for outdoor fun. However, they are also ideal for termites. These tiny insects are silent destroyers, chewing through wood, flooring, and wallpaper without much warning. It is important to see the early signs, but sometimes DIY control is not enough. Read more to know when it is time to call in the professionals.
You See Swarming Termites
Termite colonies grow and spread through their swarmers. You might notice a bunch of winged termites around your windows or porch lights when the weather warms up, especially after rain.
Seeing a few swarmers could mean there is a colony nearby. The presence of a termite colony means there could be more of these pests. Bring in a professional if you see flying termites inside your house. They know how to check for hidden nests and treat the problem before it spreads.
You Find Piles of Wings
Swarming termites do not keep their wings for long. They shed them after they find a place to settle down. Finding tiny piles of clear or light brown wings near windowsills, door frames, or corners of your home means termites are active.
These wings are easy to miss, especially if do not look for them. But you should have a pest control expert inspect your home once you notice them. The expert can tell you if termites have moved in and how serious the problem is.
You Find Mud Tubes Along Your Walls
Subterranean termites are common in Davenport. These termites live underground and build mud tubes to travel safely from their nest to your home. These pencil-sized tubes are often found on the outside walls of your house, especially near the foundation.
Do not break the tubes right after you spot them. Rather, allow a pest control professional to see them in place. These tubes are a clear sign of an active termite colony. Experts can use this clue to locate the nest and plan the best treatment.
You Notice Wood Damage
Termites eat wood from the inside out. This means the damage they cause is often hidden until it has gone worse. Termites might be to blame if parts of your walls, floors, or furniture sound hollow when you tap on them.
You might also see blistered paint, small holes in wood, or sagging floors. These signs mean termites have been busy in your home for a while. You should bring in a professional to assess the damage and stop it from getting worse.
DIY Treatments Are Not Working
Some people try over-the-counter termite sprays or bait traps. These might help with small problems or prevent future issues, but they usually do not address a full-blown infestation. Termites can live deep inside walls and underground that store-bought treatments cannot reach.
It is time to call the experts if you have tried DIY methods but still see signs of termites. Professional pest control companies have stronger tools, better knowledge, and years of experience dealing with termite colonies.
You Are Buying or Selling a Home
You should have a termite inspection done if you are planning to buy or sell a home in Davenport. Termite damage can lower the value of a house and lead to costly repairs. A professional inspection gives buyers peace of mind and helps sellers avoid surprises during the closing process.
You Had Termites Before
You are more likely to have termites again if you had them before. This makes regular follow-up treatments and inspections important. Termites might come back if conditions are right even if the first infestation was taken care of.
Professionals can help set up a long-term plan to keep termites from returning. They may install bait stations or do scheduled checkups to make sure your home stays protected.