At Slug-A-Bug, one of the single most important pest control services we provide is a termite inspection. Wondering why? Every year, termites do billions of dollars in damage to homes across the United States, and in a warm environment like Melbourne, we’re certainly not exempt from much of that damage. Termites would love nothing more than to invade your home and weaken it, making it tough to sell and tough to even continue living in. What do termites look like? Knowing what they look like and understanding and how to prevent a problem before it happens is an absolute must.

What Do Termites Look Like?

You may have seen pictures of termites in the past, but it might surprise you what they actually look like. They’re usually just a quarter of an inch in length, and the workers are typically wingless and white. You may also find swarmers, though, which is a good sign that an infestation is coming. Swarmers are typically a bit longer, darker in color, and they have long wings.

What You Might See

Understanding what termites look like, though, isn’t all you need to know. Instead, you may also want to know more about the signs of an infestation. You might notice mud like materials on the outside of a structure. You may also see piles of wings on windowsills or in other odd locations. That means the swarmers have moved on to their next phase of development. Damaged wood could also be the result of a termite infestation.

Prevention

There are a number of things you can do to prevent a termite problem in your home. Start by ensuring mulch and wood debris are well away from your home. If you have firewood, keep it off the ground and at least 100 feet from your home. You’ll also want to trim bushes and trees to keep them from the base of your home. Remove any infested stumps, and fix any leaks as soon as they happen.

At Slug-A-Bug, we offer several different treatment methods to help protect your home, including the popular Termidor termite treatment. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.