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How Water Damage Can Cause Termite Infestations

How Water Damage Can Cause Termite Infestations

Water damage does not only cause mold and mildew growth. It also does not only encourage premature rotting of a home’s structure. It can also cause devastating termite infestations.

Water damage or termites: Unaddressed water damage can spur termite infestation in any home.

Termite infestations can be very damaging to any property. It is also expensive to treat. Usually, it calls for whole-house treatment. It can start unassumingly. And like slow-building water damage, often the owner will not be aware of the damage unless he hires a professional 24 Hour Super Dry Water Damage Restoration Service to inspect it.

The University of Kentucky’s College of Food and Agriculture came up with a highly informative Question and Answer Format article on termite infestations. There they mentioned what termites can do to a home, how a homeowner can respond to a possible infestation, and how difficult it can be for a homeowner to determine if termites have infested his house at the early stage of infestation. 

“Oftentimes, there will be no clear indication of infestation. Termites are cryptic creatures and infestations can go undetected for years, hidden behind walls, floor coverings, insulation, and other obstructions. Termite feeding and damage can even progress undetected in exposed wood because the outer surface usually remains intact. Confirmation of termites often requires the keen eye of a professional — however, even the most experienced inspector can overlook signs that are hidden.”

Check out the rest of the article here.

Water damage or termites?

Termites love moisture and humidity. In a home that is not adequately ventilated, or may have unaddressed leaks, a termite infestation can take place. For this reason, the United States Environmental Protection Agency warns against not fixing leaks and water damage sources right away.

On their official website, the US EPA discussed termite infestations in residential properties. One of the areas they mentioned in their write-up is how to prevent these pests from invading one’s home.

“After construction, keep the soil around the foundation dry through proper grading and drainage (including maintenance of gutters and downspouts). Reduce openings that offer termites access to the structure (filling cracks in cement foundations as well as around where utilities pass through the wall with cement, grout, or caulk). Fix leaks immediately.”

The rest of the list can be found here.

The National Pest Management Association also underscores the termite’s love for wet weather, moisture, and humidity. In its warning to US residents, it mentioned that pests, including pesky termites, could swarm in a home during wet and warm weather. Pestworld.org published the NPMA’s warning. 

“Residual winter moisture will create ideal conditions for mosquito larval habitats to form in standing water and will allow termite populations to flourish. With a rainy summer also predicted, expect increased cockroach and ant pressure as they move indoors for shelter.”

Check out the full write-up here.

Water damage should indeed be addressed immediately to avoid termites from wreaking havoc in one’s home.

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If you recently experienced flood damage or water damage, the team at Mighty Dry is here to help. Contact us today to get started restoring your home or business.

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