Boston Termite Control: Why Pest Control Should be on Your Spring Cleaning Checklist

Warm weather means that pests are coming out of hiding from the winter chill, and Boston residents need to be ready to defend their homes. Termites are emerging as we speak, ready to cause thousands of dollars in damage to homes across the state of Massachusetts, and across a lot of the country. If you know how to spot the early spring signs of a termite swarm, you can often prevent an infestation in the first place.

Did you know… ?

• Most termite infestations aren’t discovered until a home inspection is done at the time of sale, or until renovations are performed that disturb the wood framing of the home.
• Termites are not the same as flying ants. Swarmers, as they are known, are mating carpenter ants that have shorter wings and distinctly segmented bodies. Termites have solid, narrow bodies with longer wings. In fact, their wings are twice as long as their bodies.
• Termites cause over $5 billion in property damage every single year, and not a penny of that damage is covered by homeowners insurance. Prevention is the only way to protect your home, and your bank account, from the wrath of the termite.

How to Spot Swarms

There is a lot of information out there about how to spot termite damage or identify them once they are in your home, but wouldn’t it be better to identify them before they get in? If you take a minute to look around your property in the spring, you can usually notice most pests trying to find a way in, including termites.

If you see termite swarmers, you should first know that they pose no danger to you. These termites aren’t made for biting, boring into wood, or stinging. They are primarily a nuisance, and will die very quickly. They aren’t capable of actually getting into the home or causing damage to the wood. However, they are doing their job of scouting the area so you should get rid of them as quickly as possible. Also, if you spot swarmers either inside or outside of your home, you’ll want to call a professional termite exterminator to do an inspection.

Prevention and Control Works

No one wants to deal with an infestation after the fact. Termite prevention and control is always the preferred option, and that starts by working with an exterminator. They can help you come up with an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) plan for your home, which may or may not include the initial removal of a pest issue.

There is no shame in waiting until you’ve discovered a problem to call for help. The important thing is that you do it as soon as possible. That way, you can get rid of the pests before they do any further damage to your home. Termite prevention is not impossible; you simply have to get a handle on the situation as soon as you notice a problem (or as soon as spring arrives for preventative treatment) and call an exterminator.

Here are some of the best tips for termite prevention and control:

• Get rid of any and all rotting or damaged wood around your property. Termites will start here, but eventually they’ll make their way to the structure of your house to see if there’s anything worth exploring. Don’t even give them a chance to get started by keeping your yard clean and wood-free.
• Repair any damaged, soft, or rotting wood on the structure of your home. Also, check soffits and fascia to ensure that those are intact and not damaged. Make sure there are no cracks in or around your foundation that they might be able to sneak into, as well.
• Have an annual inspection and assessment of your home done. This is an investment that is worth making in your home. One call to the exterminator could save you hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars. Once termites get into your home, the damage adds up quickly.

Can’t I Just Spray the House Myself?

While the array of DIY products for termite control can be tempting, there is no real use for them if you want actual results. If you already have an infestation, you especially aren’t going to find relief from these methods. Not only are some of these products filled with dangerous chemicals that are unnecessary, they aren’t going to reach all of the areas that might need treatment.

Remember, termites like to tunnel and bore into wood and soft materials. Their nests and feeding grounds are likely to be in inaccessible areas that require special tools to access. Termite control specialists have all the necessary tools, including injection sprayers, to ensure that every inch of your home is treated and that all the danger spots are taken care of, no matter how hidden they might be.

Commercially available termite prevention sprays or multi-pest prevention sprays might be effective for those who live in an environment less popular among termites and who have never had an infestation before. However, with the high cost of termite damage, even prevention is worth hiring the professionals for. You’ll have peace of mind that your home is protected for good, with a termite management plan that works for your needs.

Your Boston Termite Exterminators: We’ll Inspect & Protect Your Home

Spring is moving along and so are the pests looking for new places to call home. Make sure that you set up a termite inspection and prevention treatment sooner than later to protect your home. A professional will be able to perform a thorough inspection of your home and property, including any out buildings or garages, to ensure that there are no existing infestations. Then, they can advise a treatment plan and apply the necessary preventive sprays to keep your home protected.

To learn more about termite infestations and how we can help, call AAA Exterminating Company today. We’ve been the local termite exterminator choice that Boston residents have relied upon for decades, and we can help keep these pests from damaging your home.