Are you concerned that you may have dry wood termites? Are you unsure as to how to identify the signs of an infestation? Here is some crucial information regarding the signs and risks to watch for and how you can maintain dry wood termite control in the home.

Unfortunately, many homeowners don’t realize that their home is infested with termites until the termites themselves come out of the woodwork. This happens the most often during the spring, when the weather warms and heavy rains create humid conditions. Many mistake these termites for winged ants. However, if you notice their bodies don’t have an hourglass waist and their wings are all one length, you’re looking at a termite.

When it comes to dry wood termite control in the home, you have a lot to look out for. Dry wood termites feed on more than just wood—they have also been known to eat through plastic, books, paper, carpeting, plaster, and much more. Another good sign that you may have a termite infestation is if you notice small holes with pellets near them. Oftentimes you will find these holes on windowsills or near cracks between the wall and the ceiling.

Signs of extreme infestation include spotting small, warped wavy lines in pieces of dry wood. Dry wood termites, unlike most species, actually live inside the wood, creating tunnels that can span from floor to ceiling and cover the length of several rooms.

If this sounds familiar, the best way to maintain dry wood termite control in the home is to call a termite control center immediately. The company will send out a termite specialist to examine your home and yard and determine some important factors in choosing the right treatment for you. These include the age and size of the colony and how much damage has already been done. The specialist will also be able to look in areas that you would have never considered otherwise.

If the infestation is fairly recent, you can keep dry wood termite control in the home simply by installing traps. These traps are filled with a chemical that spreads slowly throughout the colony, giving the toxin plenty of time to take effect. Other methods include fumigation in direct areas of infestation as well as the use of heat, ice, electricity, and microwave rays.

Most of these methods take around a month or so to completely kill the entire colony and any lingering eggs. However, there is always the chance termites can re-infest the home. Learn more today about how to keep dry wood termite control in the home by taking preventive measures such as setting termite alarms, using termite resistant wood, and other techniques.