Homeowners have a lot on their hands to ensure their home is always spick and span. But an often-overlooked area of the home is pest control! Most people only engage termite removal services when the situation gets out of hand. However, pest control for the home can start with taking simple steps to check your home for pests, such that infestations can be detected early and nipped in the bud.

If your home has never met with pest problems, you might not even know what to look out for as early signs of a pest problem. For example, most people know what termites are: they are insects that feed on wooden material. However, how would you know that your home is also home to termites? Not to worry, as this article will tell you about the signs you need to watch out for:

• Your home is at risk for termite infestation

Termites love warm, humid environments. Dampwood termites, especially, thrive in moist, decaying wood. Unfortunately, Singapore is the perfect climate for many types of termites, such as the subterranean termite. If you know your home has an environment that welcomes termites, you should be all the more careful with your wooden furniture! High-risk areas to look out for include wooden pieces of furniture that are in damp corners such as near leaking pipes or air vents.

• Your neighbourhood has a history of termites

In some regions, termites are an existing problem in and outside the house. If you live in a neighbourhood where termites have been a problem, your home will be more susceptible to termite infestation. Recognising this is imperative to putting preventive measures in place to keep the termites out of your home. An effective way to do this is to hire a pest control company to advice you on how best to make your home unattractive to the pests. One way the pest control company might do this is to apply a termite-killing formula (termiticide) to any wooden fixtures or furniture that are in contact with the floor.

• You Notice Mud Tubes in or around your home

Some types of termites make mud tubes as a transport system from their underground habitat to their food source. These tubes also offer protection to the termites from external conditions like the weather. Spotting these mud tubes in your home is sure sign that termites have visited your home. If you notice mud tubes anywhere in or near your apartment, it is time to hire the pest control services and get a quick inspection.

• Visible Wood Damage

Termites consume cellulose in wood, resulting in hollowed-out structures and visible holes in the wood. So, if you notice your wooden furniture sounding hollow upon knocking on it, or see visible damage, you likely have a termite infestation. By the time termite damage is visible, it probably means the termites have been around for a while. Although damage to wood progresses slowly, it is highly recommended to treat the termite problem at the appearance of the earliest signs to prevent the problem from escalating.

The above are some signs that you need to get your home inspected for termites. Adding a routine pest check to your home maintenance schedule can keep your home pest-free and detect early signs of pest infestation. A final word of advice: Don’t wait until it’s too late, and always consult a professional pest control for the most reliable results!