Finding a home brings security and comfort. It is a place where you can build your dreams and your future or a place where you can rest and be yourself. This should be your sanctuary where you can recover from all stress.
But what if one cause of your stress is right inside your home? What if they are all around you? The worst thing is, they never warn you. You just feel and see the effects. They even have the capacity to bring down your whole house. These are pests known as termites.
Termites need to be taken seriously. Without warning, they can cause major damage to your house. They can do it in six months or less until there is no other way to fix the problem but to do a major renovation. Then, you need to spend a lot of money on exterminators to get rid of them.
Termites are also known to be quiet destroyers. You don’t normally see or hear them. They silently chew through wood structures in your house. Hence, you will be aware of their presence only when you see the damage. All over the U.S., they can cause billions of dollars in property damages.
Termites’ favorite food is cellulose, which is a major component of wood. They invade any form of wood to eat its cellulose content. As a result, they can damage and destroy the wooden parts of your house. Knowing these facts will give you an idea of where to find them. And finding them will give you an idea of how to deal with them.
Here are the areas where you can find termites in your house:
Hardwood Floors
Termites love to live in either moist places or dry habitats. So a perfect spot for their colony is the soil beneath your house. If you have a hardwood floor, that is where you can find them, too.
If parts of your house are made of tiles, check the wood floor under the tiles. This also includes the subfloor under the wood floor and the floor joists. You can apply a chemical treatment directly to the wood or the soil. It would be best if you had the floors of your entire house treated to avoid them. Better yet, hire a good hardwood flooring company and get brand-new floors. It is important to note that hardwood floors are a major bonus to any house because they add value to a property.
Ceilings
Ceilings are normally made of wood, so it is good to check them, too. When you find brittle parts, it means termites already eat them. In that case, you need to replace your ceiling. Otherwise, a portion, or worse, the entire ceiling can fall over your head without warning.
Also, replace wooden ceiling joists. They are long pieces of lumber that span the width of a room where drywall is attached to make the ceiling. Ceiling joist removal costs up to $2,000, while new ceiling joists cost up to $2,200.
When the ceiling joist is replaced and brand-new, it is also advisable to have the roof checked and replace it when needed. When the roof is sealed properly, you can be assured that water will not come in when it rains and ruin your new ceiling. Also, keep in mind that termites love moist areas. A new roof may cost up to $15,000, depending on the size of the roof. While the ceiling is opened up, you might also want to check the air conditioner duct. Check for moisture and signs of termites. New duct work can cost up to $2,200.
Wooden Window Frames
Termites can also eat windows made of wood. Take some time to check them. It is also an opportunity to replace them with new energy-efficient units made of metal frames. By doing that, you will also save more money on power bills. New windows can cost up to $3,500.
Other wooden products such as house frames and utility poles also need a thorough inspection. At the same time, it is good to apply chemical treatment on your fence and fence poles directly. In addition, use chemical treatment for wooden furniture. Termites can also be on fabrics, carpets, and books, so always make sure to keep them clean.
Another suggestion is to get a termite bond. This is a contract where a pest control company will do treatment and extermination. Extermination with quarantine takes three to four days. Then, they will continue to provide inspection and treatment after the extermination. They will guarantee that the house is free of termites. Also, they offer termite tenting services that can cost up to $3,000.
Remember that your home should be where your heart is. It is a place of rest and comfort, somewhere you can feel at ease. So don’t let termites mess up the meaning of home for you. Termite control can be costly, but the peace of mind it will bring is worth it.
