Like other creatures, termites live where there’s a viable food source. Anything wooden, including furniture, is food for termites. Not only do termites eat wood, but they also live inside furniture. This makes it hard for you to discover them. You can even bring them to your house without realizing it.
How does this happen, and how can you prevent it?
You’ll find out shortly, but first, let’s see which termites will likely mess up your furniture.
Florida has three types of termites; Dampwood, Subterranean, and Drywood. When it comes to furniture, Drywood termites should be your primary concern.
Even though subterranean termites are the most destructive in the United States, they rarely attack furniture. That’s because they need a moist environment to survive. So, they build mud tubes to keep their path moist as they enter your house. They mainly attack wooden foundation from underneath because it has the required moisture.
Drywood termites are swarming insects. That makes it easier for them to fly from one area to another. During migration, they can land on any nearby property and infest furniture.
Also, if you regularly use firewood in your house, it’s possible to end up with termites in furniture. That said, there are two other ways you can get termites without knowing.
These are:
Most people buy second-hand furniture because of their considerably lower prices. But cheap items can be expensive in the long term. That would be the case if you purchased cheap furniture with termites living inside.
Bringing off market furniture into your house is like inviting disaster. Not only will the termites destroy the furniture, but they’ll also spread to other areas in the house. Any cheap furniture you buy can lead to costly repairs in the future.
Akin to second-hand wooden furniture, some household fixtures can come with termites hiding inside them. These include fixtures like doors, wooden floors, and cabinets.
So, just because your house has brick walls doesn’t mean you can’t find termites. Most wooden structures can make a good termite colony.
A termite invasion is easy to identify. First, you’ll see damage on the furniture, which termites cause by chewing on the wood. Some damage may be on the surface, while other issues may extend inwards. So, tap on the furniture using your hand or a solid object. If you hear hollow sounding, that’s a sign of termites.
Also, on the floor below the furniture, you might notice termite droppings called frass. These droppings have the same color as the furniture. Other signs of termites include termite wings and piles of sawdust.
Second-hand furniture is not only cheap, but it can also have some good qualities. So, the solution is not to avoid buying it altogether. That said, it’s best to be cautious. Take your time and inspect it before striking a deal. If you see visible marks of termite destruction, don’t buy it. But if the destruction is minor, treat the furniture before bringing it home.
Once you spot termites in your home, you should take action to exterminate them immediately. Termites can infest furniture more quickly than you think because they reproduce fast. In case of a minor infestation, you can try natural remedies like:
After the treatment, you can prevent termites from returning by:
For a major termite infestation, it’s crucial to call for professional termite treatment.
A thorough professional treatment can help minimize the chances of a termite resurgence. But to be safe, you still need to have a termite inspection occasionally, especially if you have a history of termite infestations. Don’t wait until you see physical damage, as that might be too late. Call a pest control company for regular inspections and termite prevention.
Need a professional termite exterminator? McDonald Pest Control is here for you. We provide pest and termite control services in Clearwater, Florida. Call us for termite control, including inspection, treatment, and prevention today.
