Termites can be a significant issue in the Midwest because the climate provides a suitable environment for their growth and reproduction. The warm and humid summers, coupled with rich soil, create the perfect conditions for subterranean termite colonies to thrive.

Termites are known to cause extensive damage to homes and other structures, as they feed on wood and other cellulose-based materials. The National Pest Management Association estimates termite-related damage costs homeowners more than $5 billion annually, an expense not typically covered in their insurance.

If left untreated, termite infestations can weaken the structural integrity of a building leading to costly repairs or even collapse, and they can do this surprisingly fast depending on the size of the colony.

How large is a subterranean termite colony? Experts estimate a typical, mature subterranean termite colony can consist of anywhere between 60,000 and two million workers. And with subterranean termites eating wood 24 hours a day, seven days a week, they can cause significant damage.

It is essential for homeowners in Missouri to take necessary steps to prevent termites from threatening their homes and Rottler Pest Solutions offers the following three-step approach.

1) Have A Termite Inspection Done

Inspections are the first but an often-overlooked step to prevent termite problems. Many times, homeowners wait until it’s too late to do anything but pay significantly more money to eliminate the termites and repair the damage they caused.

Why do homeowners fail to schedule regular termite inspections? The cryptic nature of termites often lulls homeowners into adopting a “out of sight, out of mind” approach and that can be a costly mistake in the long run.

Rottler Pest Solution’s highly trained termite inspectors focus their efforts on the most vulnerable areas of a home. This includes inspecting all accessible areas including basements and crawlspaces, windows, and door frames, around utility access points in walls and slabs, and settlement and expansion cracks in the slab.

The inspectors will start at the foundation and work their way up examining every crack, crevice, and potential entry point for signs of termites and damage both past and present.

2) Know the Signs of Termites

Termites are cryptic pests that can often go undetected for years until it is too late. There are, however, some visible signs that your home could have termites.

• Swarming Termites – Termite swarmers can appear inside or outside your home on warm spring days following rainfall. Swarmers are often found flying near windows and exterior walls.
• Wood Damage – Be on the lookout for wood that sounds hollow, is damp and soft to the touch or that is blistering.
• Bubbling Paint – Uneven or bubbling paint on wood siding is a sign of moisture buildup, which can attract termites.
• Mud Shelter Tubes – Mud tubes on cement block walls in a basement, crawlspace or on the foundation are how termites move around and access moisture.
• Discarded Wings – The discarded wings of termite swarmers can be found inside and outside your home and are often the first sign of a termite infestation.

3) Take Preventive Measures

In addition to scheduling an annual termite inspection, homeowners can safeguard their homes and sheds against destructive termites and other wood destroying pests by taking these preventive actions:

• Fill in cracks in your masonry or concrete and repair/replace damaged exterior wood.
• Adjust irrigation systems to prevent them from watering stucco or wood siding. Do not overwater your yard.
• Reduce humidity and moisture in basements, crawl spaces, and attics with proper ventilation.
• Remove old form boards, grade stakes, tree trunks, and roots near your home, as they can attract subterranean termites.
• Remove wood debris, and wood to soil contact against the foundation as it retains moisture and is an attractant to termites. Use a stone or gravel barrier around the foundation.
• Maintain an 18-inch gap between the soil and any wood portions of your home.

If Rottler’s inspectors identify the presence of termites or wood-destroying pests and organisms in your home, they will first determine the source of the infestation and then provide you with treatment recommendations.

The Rottler Termite Promise

With the latest and most advanced termite solutions available, Rottler provides homeowners with the most comprehensive termite protection and warranty across its service areas including St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield, Joplin, and mid-Missouri. From our state-of-the-art termite protection system to our $250,000 termite damage warranty, Rottler offers homeowners the most comprehensive termite defense system on the market.

Contact Rottler Pest Solutions

Don’t go another day leaving your home unprotected from termites. Check out our year-round protection programs, or schedule your free termite inspection today!

Protect your home from pests, termites, moles, and wildlife this season by calling 877-768-8537.