Fort Worth's Ultimate Termite-Prevention Guide

In the hustle and bustle of life, it’s easy to put off pest management for your property in Fort Worth. This is especially true if it doesn’t seem like there are insects and other creatures on your Fort Worth property. However, there are many critters that could be dubbed “silent killers.” These types can infiltrate your home or business without much effort and can reproduce en mass, sight unseen. They go undetected because of their size, quiet operation, and living habits. For instance, a bug or animal stays primarily underground or behind walls. The latter is the case with termites.

With termites, folks often don’t know they are around until it’s too late. This could mean having to move out of your house because it’s unsafe. If you’re a business owner, you may have to close your establishment down. On top of that, your bank may be broken trying to recover. Termites cost Americans $5 billion each year, partly because there’s usually no assistance from insurance companies. Learn how to prevent termites from invading your property with the help of  Cantu Pest & Termite.

What Are The Signs Of A Termite Infestation?

There are three types of termites in a colony: workers, soldiers, and swarmers. The workers are grayish-white or plain white, and 0.12 of an inch long. They’re the ones that create the large repair bills. Soldiers protect them. They’re yellow-brown and have rectangular heads and defined jaws. Swarmers are winged and do all the procreating and nest forming. Their ½-inch-long bodies are black, yellow, or brown. Termite mating season is typically in the springtime. You’ll see the swarmers fleeing from exit holes and heading towards the light. Sighting them will tell you that you have an infestation either in your home or somewhere nearby. Further indications are as follows:

• Swarmer wings; they will be scaly and translucent 
• Frass near pinpoint holes, maze patterns, and mud tubes in walls
• A hollow sound when you knock on wood
• Peeling paint that begins to appear frothy, bubbling, and water-damaged
• Slumping drywall that’s also discolored
• Disengaging tiles
• Floorboards that seem to be caving in
• Doors and window frames that are suddenly very tight-fitting 
• Noises behind walls, like clicking and rustling

How Can You Prevent Termites?

Given what termites can do, don't wait until you have a problem. Be vigilant about monitoring potentially vulnerable spots on your property. And put effort into prevention. It may seem overwhelming, but it could save your home or business. Standard measures involve lawn and building maintenance:

• Repair or remove ruined, rotting, or water-spoiled wood. 
• Fix any water that is dampening wood. Also tend to leaks, plumbing issues, and other moisture issues.
• Seal up cracks and crevices near caulked areas, utility lines, and foundations.
• Put screens on all exterior vents.
• Clean your vents and gutters routinely. 
• Store lumber, firewood, and other wood at least 20 feet from the property.
• Regularly groom greenery and keep it at a distance from exterior doors.

Loose wood shouldn’t touch soil at all.

What Can Cantu Pest & Termite Do To Help?

For us at Cantu Pest & Termite, it’s all in our name. We have dedicated pest services to termites because we understand how pervasive they are. These awful critters require concentrated solutions. That’s why we offer a range of relevant and affordable pest management plans for your Fort Worth home. Our highly trained technicians will apply safe liquid treatments and/or install Sentricon® System with Always Active™ baiting systems. These options will wipe out termite colonies and prevent future invasions. Recurring and pre-construction visits, warranties, repairs, and more are available. Call today!