Check this out - if you’ve never seen what termites can do to your home, this is just one board. Roughly one in four homes in the Lansing area will suffer damage from pests. The worst of them is the subterranean termite.
These termites come from the ground, so they can be hard to spot before the damage is already started. Small mud tubes around the outside of your house, along the foundation are one sign. Another is week or brittle baseboards, squishy or spongy floorboards in areas, discolored drywall or depressions behind paint. Be on the look out for creatures that look like winged ants - these are breeding members of a colony.
The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) states that homeowners should eliminate or reduce moisture around the home, including repairing leaking faucets, water pipes, and exterior AC units. This is because termites prefer moist areas and ground. All water should also be moved away with downspouts or gutters (so please have your gutters cleaned. If you see plans growing in them, they’re dirty).
They also recommend storing firewood at least 20 feet away from the house, maintaining an 18-inch gap between soil and wooden portions of your home. Check around your foundations for little mud tubes. These are a another sign of termite activity.
If you think you’ve been the victim of termite damage, you want to work with experts. My team have brought whole homes back from the brink of destruction due to Termite damage. We also work with the professionals at Servicemaster Absolute Home & Restoration Services in Holt, who can help you not only identify the full extent of the damage, but can also help with your insurance claim.
Be safe, protect your home from pests and have a great week from our team to yours!
