What To Do If You Spot Signs Of Termites In Your Yard

Termites in Your Yard? Don’t Panic, Identify!

Do you have any question about termites, identification, treatment or prevention? Termites can cause severe structural damage. To make sure you’re protected from termites, call (301) 613-6570 | (301) 449-2937 Termites are the most important wood-destroying structural pests in the southern United States. According to some estimates, over $2 billion are spent annually. What To Do if You Spot Signs of Termites in Your Yard” Learn the signs of an infestation, differentiate termites from ants, prevent swarms, and choose effective pest control. Spotting termites in your yard can be unsettling, but early detection is key to preventing them from entering your home. Termites are primarily known for their destructive behavior, often causing significant structural damage to wooden homes and buildings. While the insects themselves may be difficult to find, these 5 telltale signs will reveal their presence:

1. Mud Tubes: Nature’s Termite Highway

a) Look for narrow, pencil-sized mud tubes on your foundation, exterior walls, or landscaping timbers. Subterranean termites are insects that feed on wood, frequently becoming pests of homes. There are two types of termites commonly encountered by homeowners:

b) These tubes act as protective tunnels for termites traveling between their nest and food source (often wood). Termites can damage wooden walls, furniture and trees on your property. They will hollow these structures out, tunneling through them.

2. Hollow or Damaged Wood: A Sign of Dinner

a) Inspect wooden fences, trees, or deadwood near your home for signs of damage. Termites love feasting on wood! How to Tell If Termites Are Active in Your House · Discolored or drooping drywall · Peeling paint that resembles water damage · Wood that sounds hollow.

b) Tap the wood: If it sounds hollow, it could indicate termite activity.

3. Visible Termite Swarms: Taking Flight for a New Home

• During warm months, termite colonies send out swarmers to establish new colonies.
• These swarms may resemble a cloud of flying insects, and can appear near your property.

4. Discarded Wings: Leftovers After Takeoff

• After mating, termites shed their wings. Finding discarded wings around your yard is a red flag for termites.

5. Frass Piles: Tiny Pellets, Big Problem

• Termite droppings, called frass, resemble oval-shaped pellets with rounded ends, and are light brown or black.
• Discovering piles of frass near your foundation or around wooden structures indicates termite activity.

Seeing Any of These Signs? Take Action!

If you notice any of these signs, it’s crucial to contact a pest control professional immediately. A prompt inspection can identify a potential termite problem before it enters your home, saving you time, money, and stress.

Beyond Termites: A Guide to Outdoor Wood-Destroying Pests

While termites are notorious home invaders, other wood-destroying pests can threaten your property’s exterior. Here’s a guide to these common culprits and how to prevent them:

1. Carpenter Bees: Mistaken Identity with a Sting

1. Look for: Smooth, black bodies resembling bumblebees, but lacking fuzzy pollen sacks.
2. Behavior: These solitary bees create “galleries” (nesting tunnels) by chewing holes in wooden structures like decks, eaves, or railings.
3. Prevention: Seal cracks, gaps, and around doors/windows to deter entry. Varnish or paint exterior wood to make it less inviting.

2. Carpenter Ants: Not Quite Termites But Just As Destructive

• Appearance: Small, red, black, or brown ants with segmented bodies (distinguish them from termites by their elbowed antennae).
• Destruction: Unlike termites, carpenter ants excavate wood, discarding the debris. They target dead or decaying wood, but can compromise your home’s structural integrity if left unchecked.
• Prevention: Maintain your property! Regularly inspect wood for signs of rot or decay and address any moisture issues that might attract them.

3. Woodpeckers: The Drummers You Don’t Want in Your Band

1. Warning Sign: Loud drilling sounds before you see the bird itself. Woodpeckers peck at wood in search of food (insects) or mates.
2. Damage: Their persistent drilling can cause significant damage to your home’s exterior wood siding, especially if there’s an infestation.
3. Important Note: Woodpeckers are a protected species. Don’t attempt DIY removal.

Contact a pest control professional for humane solutions that prioritize both your home and the birds.

CALL NOW FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE – (301) 613-6570

What To Do If You Find Termites Or Other Wood-Destroying Insects Outside

Discovering termites or other wood-destroying insects in your yard can be alarming, but swift action can prevent them from entering your home. Here’s a crucial first step-by-step guide:

1. Minimize Moisture Sources Around Your Foundation:

1. Move Raised Garden Beds: Moisture-loving termites thrive in damp soil. Relocate raised garden beds at least a few feet away from your house.
2. Trim Overgrown Vegetation: Dense shrubs and bushes next to your home create termite travel corridors. Trim them to maintain a clearance of a few feet around exterior walls.
3. Fix Leaky Irrigation: Address any irrigation system leaks to eliminate a vital water source for subterranean termites.

2. Choose the Right Mulch:

Opt for Termite-Resistant Mulch: Replace existing mulch with cedar or cypress varieties, which naturally deter termites and other pests. Ignoring signs of a termite infestation can lead to severe structural damage. Termites eat wood from the inside out. Subterranean termites can cause the most damage of any termite species. These termites build distinctive tunnels, often referred to as “mud tubes”.

3. Seal Entry Points:

Block Potential Entry Points: Seal cracks and gaps in your foundation with caulk or weatherstripping to prevent termite intrusion.

4. Essential Step: Call a Pest Control Professional

1. Don’t Go DIY: Avoid at-home termite treatments. Contact a licensed pest control company for a guaranteed solution.
2. Professional Expertise: Professionals can effectively address the termite issue at its source and establish a preventative maintenance plan for your property.

MTB Pest Control can help you regain control.

If you suspect a termite infestation in your yard or home, MTB Pest Control can help you prevent further damage. With over 50 years of experience in pest control, our team specializes in handling subterranean termites commonly found in the Southeastern United States. We offer tailored termite control plans using effective pesticides such as liquid termiticides, foam and dusts, and termite repellents. Additionally, we can install bait stations around your property to intercept termites before they reach your home’s structure. Contact us for a free termite inspection and let us create a personalized treatment plan for your specific needs.

Rest Easy Tonight

We’ll get rid of your pests safely, effectively, and immediately.

CALL NOW FOR YOUR FREE ESTIMATE – (301) 613-6570