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Termites Causing Small Holes in the Walls
Termites Causing Small Holes in the Walls. Termites cause significant damage to homes each year. Subterranean termites are responsible for the majority of severe damage to homes. They emerge from the soil, infest homes and feed on wood. Swarmers often place small holes in the wall and emerge in the spring and are seen flying in homes.
Termites cause significant damage to homes each year. Subterranean termites are responsible for the majority of severe damage to homes. They emerge from the soil, infest homes and feed on wood. Swarmers often place small holes in the wall and emerge in the spring and are seen flying in homes.
Identification
According to Ohio State University, subterranean termites are the most damaging wood-destroying insects in the United States. These termites often live in large colonies consisting of soldiers, workers and reproductive termites. Soldiers are wingless insects with large jaws and protect the colony. Workers are wingless, and white or gray in color. These termites make up the majority of the colony and are the termites that eat wood. Workers do not reproduce, but forage for food, care for eggs, groom young termites and construct tubes for shelter. Reproductive termites may or may not have wings and are swarmers that shed their wings after flight. These termites reproduce and may step in to replace the queen and king termites if necessary.
Effects
Homeowners may not be aware termites are inside their home until they find swarming termites emerging from holes in the drywall. These termites briefly swarm, drawn to the sunlight in windows. Finding swarming termites or shed wings in the home indicates a termite infestation. Homeowners may also find mud tubes protruding from beams and wood, which provide termites shelter from natural predatory insects. Wood with termite damage typically produces a hollow sound when tapped.
Control
If termites are present in your home, you must seek professional help to eliminate them before they cause major damage. Select a licensed pest control company experienced in termite control. Always get at least three estimates before hiring a pest control company. Most pest control companies use soil barrier treatments, termiticides and baits for termite control and elimination.
Prevention
Prevent termite infestations by eliminating sources of moisture around the outside of your home. Grade the soil so that water runs away from your home, reducing sources of water termites need to live. Avoid placing firewood or newspapers near the outside of your home, as this provides termites with a food source. Minimize the use of wood mulch near your home and avoid placing it next to the home's foundation.
