Arkansas summers can be punishingly hot, and most of us prefer to spend as much time indoors as we can. Unfortunately, this feeling is shared with household pests, who are the most active during the summer months. Most bugs are simply a nuisance, but termites are a threat. An infestation can lead to structural damage, which can cost thousands of dollars to repair if not caught in time. Termite damage can also present safety issues for you and your family.

If you ever have any questions about keeping your home safe from termites, give us a call! The Bug Man has been the leading provider of termite control in Little Rock since 1976, and we’ll be happy to perform your annual termite inspection, or assist you with any other pest control needs. We also recommend a few easy procedures that you can follow to keep your home protected from termites year-round:

Eliminate their habitats

Termites can’t survive without moisture, so be sure that standing water doesn’t accumulate in gutters and downspouts. Be sure also to mow your lawn regularly, and don’t store firewood next to your home

Eliminate ways into the home

Termites prefer dark, humid areas, and love to enter the home through basements or crawl spaces. They can also squeeze through the tiniest of cracks, which is why it’s important to seal foundations and keep exterior wood surfaces painted.

Visually search for infestations

Termite damage is hard to spot right away, because, termites feed from the inside out. If you see warped paint, or hear hollow sound when tapping on wood, that could be a sign of termite damage. Inspect the outside of your home regularly for “mud tubes,” which are a mix of saliva and frass (droppings), which provide termites moisture, insulation, and access to your home.

Termites are one of the most harmful household pests around, and homeowners experience termite damage much more frequently than flooding, fire, or other natural disasters. That’s why it’s so important to schedule an annual termite inspection, and be on the lookout for the rest of the year. If you have any questions, or would like to schedule a termite inspection, click here, or give us a call at (501) 663-9464.