Don’t mistake them for flying ants! It’s a mistake commonly made by homeowners when they see termite swarmers on their property. Most homeowners also don’t want to believe Southern Maryland has termites, but that’s not true.

This pest causes over 5 billion dollars in termite damage to properties all across the United States.

When you get up close and personal, an Eastern Subterranean Termite swarmer doesn’t look like an ant at all. It doesn’t even have eyes!

Termites wreak havoc on your home’s structure and your wallet.  Learn more about the true cost of termite infestations before you turn your eye next time you see what you think is a flying ant.

Termites Eat Wood

If you’ve ever seen a piece of wood after a termite infestation, you’ll notice it’s hollow. Termites eat wood from the inside out. They’re also subtle about their busy work.

First, you won’t notice them for quite some time because they live in underground tunnels. The tunnels all connect to feeding stations in your home. They get inside through foundation cracks and other small holes. By the time you notice the damage, they’ve already used their saw-like jaws to eat through your home’s structure.

You may think invasion is a strong word, but when it comes to a termite infestation, a colony can host millions of termites. Imagine that many jaws gnawing on the wood structure of your home.

In their drive to get enough cellulose (their primary dietary need), termites will eat anything containing cellulose. If they can’t devour the wood structure of a home, a deck, or a fence, they’re happy to move on to the paper inside drywall, insulation, and carpet.

Restoring Cosmetic Damage

Since termites do their dirty undetected, sometimes for months or even years, you won’t see the physical damage right away. Physical damage doesn’t only happen at the structural level. Some termite damage makes your home look ugly.

If they feed on drywall, you may notice discoloration. You could also see paint peeling, especially around windows if they’ve infested the wood frame. In some homes, termites feed on wood flooring and you’ll need to replace it.

Cost of Extermination

As if dealing with repairs isn’t enough, you can’t start the repair and restoration process until you get rid of the termites. You sure don’t want to invest in structural repairs and restoration of flooring if you still have an infestation.

The cost of extermination depends on several factors. The size of your home or structure matters. The treatment method you choose also affects the cost.

Generally, homeowners who discover termite infestations in Southern Maryland have more than one option when considering treatment. It’s a discussion you’ll have with your exterminator after they determine the location and extent of the infestation.

Do Not Let Termite Damage Ruin Your Investment

As you can see, termites aren’t homeowner-friendly and can create significant trouble if they go undetected. Termite damage can ruin your investment in your home by destroying its structure and attacking your walls, rugs, and insulation.

Don’t let termites eat away at the investment you have in your Southern Maryland home. If you think you have termites, contact us today and we’ll schedule an inspection.