Panic will grip anyone who finds their neighbor’s house tented for termites. The concern is obvious. Sometimes it doesn’t matter how many precautions you take to safeguard your home from a possible termite infestation. If people in your neighborhood and surroundings aren’t taking equal precautions, you might end up with termites in your home anyway.
If your neighbors disclose that their home has been infiltrated by termites, there is a high probability that your home is now vulnerable to an infestation. A termite infestation isn’t just an area of concern for a single homeowner. Any reported termite infestation should serve as an alarm bell for all properties that surround the affected area.
Why Should You Be Worried?
Termites are small pests but are capable of large-scale destruction if they are left unchecked for some time. Due to their adaptability, they can survive in most modern homes, making just about every home a potential target. Termites need very little for survival and can thrive in warm environments. If you hear that property around you has been compromised, you must automatically assume that your property is also in the line of danger.
Termites are known to grow very rapidly. They might start infesting an area in small numbers, but they can expand exponentially in just a matter of days. The queen termite lays eggs which could go as high as 30,000 eggs in one single day. This means that in no time, there will be new termites hatching and wreaking havoc around the area of the original infestation. Once the termites are done chewing through a piece of wood, they will immediately seek another target. This makes any neighboring homes a potential risk area.
Apart from growing rapidly, termites are also incredibly speedy. Termites never sleep, which means that they are constantly chewing and digesting wood. Homeowners often undermine the amount of destruction that they can do in a short period. Before you know it, they can cause irreparable damage to a valuable piece of furniture or even structural elements of your home, such as walls and pillars. Hence, if your neighbor has reported an infestation, you must not waste any time and seek professional help immediately.
Owing to their small size, termites often go unnoticed. They hide behind drywalls or inside furniture items in the house, making them virtually undetectable unless you are paying close attention. You must not assume that you will get an immediate visual confirmation of termites infiltrating your home. Termites can enter your home and work behind the scenes without giving you too many noticeable signs.
Is Your Home Infested With Termites Too?
If your neighbor is dealing with a termite infestation, it does not mean you too are facing the same issue. That said, the main reason to worry is termites are very close to your house and may invade your house soon if proper care is not taken. Treat your neighbor’s termite issues as a wake-up call for you. Even if you do not have a termite problem, inspect your home, look for signs and take prevention measures.
Signs of Termite Infestation
- Mud tubes along the sides of your home
- Damp walls or moist stains
- Blisters on the door and skirting boards
- Soft Floorboards
- Hollow sounds from your furniture upon tapping
- Chewing sounds behind the walls
- Dried mud accumulated in the door joints and on the architraves
Wrapping Up
It is always advisable for homeowners to call for immediate professional help in cases where a neighbor has reported or noticed an infestation. Professional pest inspectors are qualified and equipped with the right knowledge and tools to detect any possible infestations on your property. They will also be able to advise you on how you can take preventive measures to avoid future infestations in your home.
