Signs You Have Termites in Boston

If you own a home in Boston, you may be concerned about termites. Termites are destructive pests that can cause extensive damage to your property. In this article, we will discuss the signs that you may have termites in Boston and what you can do to prevent them from causing damage to your home.

Termites are a serious threat to homeowners in Boston. These pests can cause significant damage to the structure of your home, including walls, ceilings, and floors. In some cases, the damage can be so extensive that it compromises the integrity of your home.

What Are Termites?

Termites are small insects that live in colonies. They feed on wood and other materials that contain cellulose, such as paper and cardboard. There are three main types of termites: subterranean, drywood, and dampwood.

Subterranean termites are the most common type of termite in the United States. They live in the soil and build mud tubes to travel to their food source, which is often the wood in your home. Drywood termites, as the name suggests, live in dry wood and do not require soil to survive. Dampwood termites, on the other hand, live in moist wood.

Signs of Termites

Termites are difficult to detect, but there are a few signs that you can look out for:

Discarded Wings

Termites swarm during certain times of the year, usually in the spring and fall. During a swarm, termites will fly around, and you may see their discarded wings on the ground or on window sills.

Mud Tubes

Subterranean termites build mud tubes to travel from the soil to the wood in your home. These tubes are usually about the width of a pencil and can be found on the exterior of your home, near the foundation.

Hollow Wood

Termites eat wood from the inside out, so you may not notice the damage until it’s severe. If you tap on wood in your home and it sounds hollow, it could be a sign of termite damage.

Swarms

If you see swarms of termites inside your home, it’s a sure sign that you have an infestation.

Prevention

Preventing termites is easier than treating them. Here are some steps you can take to reduce your risk of a termite infestation:

Reduce Moisture

Termites are attracted to moist wood, so reducing the moisture in and around your home can help prevent an infestation. Make sure your gutters are clean and functioning properly, and fix any leaks as soon as possible.

Eliminate Wood-to-Soil Contact

Termites can easily travel from the soil to the wood in your home if there is direct contact. Make sure there is the soil and any wood on your property, such as fences, decks, and woodpiles.