Termite infestation is a serious problem for American homeowners. In fact, over half a million houses in the United States have some level of termite infestation. That’s right about one in twenty homes, with the average home incurring $3,300 worth of repairs thanks to termite damage. In total, Americans spend almost $5 billion per year fixing damage from termites. The best way to avoid these high costs is to schedule a termite inspection.
But when is the best time to schedule a termite inspection Augusta, GA? For many reasons, December is the ideal time to book your appointment with a qualified and experienced pest control service.
Termites Stay Inside During Winter
During warmer spring and summer weather, termites venture out from their nests in search of extra food as they reproduce. In winter, however, termites stay closer to home. If that home is your house, they will burrow deeper into the structure as they seek food, shelter, and heat. This will make it easier and more likely that the exterminator to find the termite source during the inspection.
Termites don’t go dormant or hibernate during winter and freezing temperatures won’t kill them. However, they significantly curtail their activity during winter as they seek to conserve heat, energy, and food. But this doesn’t mean they stop doing damage to your home. In fact, they might be doing more damage to the wood in your house as they feed inside instead of outside.
Treatments for Termites Are More Effective in Augusta, GA in December
If the inspection does find signs of termites in your home, winter is definitely the right time to have it happen. Because the termite population is more concentrated in their nests during winter than they are in summer, treatment options such as baits, traps, insecticide liquids, and fumigation is much more effective. The insects are more likely to come across bait and traps during the winter as they stop travelling out of their nests. Since they have fewer food options, more termites are likely to ingest the bait and be eliminated.
Get Your Home Ready for Warmer Spring Temperatures
A termite inspection looks for not only an active infestation, but possible routes into your home as well. A good pest control professional will seek out any gaps in your foundation, wood or yard debris next to the house, and sources of water around your house. Your inspection will include a comprehensive list of suggestions to prevent termites from getting in.
As mentioned above, termites are more likely to invade your home during the summer, so having your inspection done in the winter is a vital step in preparing for the warmer months.
Signs Your House Has Termites
You should be scheduling regular inspections every December. You should also constantly be on the lookout for signs your home has termites:
- Mud tunnels around the outside of your walls
- Dirt trails on your walls
- Wings around windows and doors
- Small holes in the drywall
- Blistered and peeling paint on walls or ceilings
- Sagging floors
- Hollow-sounding wood beams
Termites are a serious issue for any home owner in Georgia. They can do significant damage to a house if left untreated long enough, with results as dired a collapsed roofs or ceilings. Don’t let winter months lull you into a sense of complacency. December is the ideal time to schedule a home inspection to more easily spot and more effectively deal with any termites that may have built a nest in your home.