THE TRUTH ON TERMITES

Did you know? — Termites affect 1 in 4 homes in the Louisville, KY and surrounding areas, and most homeowner policies do not cover termite damage. The average cost of termite damage, along with repairs, per house is about $7,000 on average. Repair costs may vary because every home is different. On top of this astronomical cost, there is a reported $5 billion annual cost of termite damage in the United States. Termite damage costs more than fire damage, water damage, and tornado damage combined.

Termites only need a space as large as 1.5 mm to enter your home (think: a few thousandths of an inch), and once they’re in the damage begins. The workers may travel more than 100 yards, up to the length of a football field, to find food. Thus, if your neighbor’s neighbor’s neighbor has termites, you could too. A single Eastern Subterranean termite colony can contain up to several hundred thousand termites. Eventually, one queen can produce up to 30 separate colonies, but it only takes one colony to destroy a home.

Some of the most common areas of the home for termite entry are basements, crawlspaces, outside vents, and decks. Other entry points include foundation gaps, stress cracks, exterior plumbing, electrical openings, pier supports, and anywhere there is wood to ground contact.

Inviting conditions for termites are damp wood, landscaping near the foundation, gutters or downspouts full of leaves, trash, and woodpiles.

Some preventative measures you should take to avoid termites:

• Remove debris from against the home
• Fix leaking down pipes
• Cover vents with screens
• Fix broken roof tiles
• Close up foundation cracks
• Keep wood garden mulch away from the foundation

If you find signs of termites, contact Black Diamond immediately to confirm infestation and to repair damages. Some signs of termites include:

• Discarded wings — Finding these mixed with fine granules of soil around windowsills is a common sign of termite colonies. This indicates swarming activity. After termites swarm, they shed their wings.
• Flying termites — Termites with wings will leave their nest twice a year. You will most commonly find them swarming in the spring time, usually March – June.
• Wood damage — You may notice blisters in wood flooring or trim, although the damage may not always be visible. If you knock and the wood is hallow, you may also have a termite problem.
• Mud tubes — These show termites have been traveling above ground.
• Bubbling paint — Painted, wooden surfaces that look cracked or bubbled could be an indicator of termites.

Contact Black Diamond or call 877-DEAD-BUG for your free evaluation and estimate today!