Before 1929, termites were not a problem here in Hawaii. Now Formosan termites alone cost homeowners over 100 million dollars each year. All of this is probably thanks to some unknown individual whose boat had a termite infestation. Regardless of how the first termite got here, there is no denying that we have gotten to the point of no return. Hawaii will never again be termite-free, but your home can be. Here is everything you as a property owner here in Honolulu need to know about termites.
How Much Of A Problem Termites Can Be
Formosan termites love living here in Honolulu. Our high, year-round temperatures are comfortable for their cold-blooded bodies. This comfort allows these destructive pests to damage homes indefinitely. What kind of damage can you expect from Formosan termites? Here are just a few issues they have been known to cause:
- Bubbling wallpaper and paint
- Drooping drywall
- Overly squeaky floorboards
- Tight-fitting windows and doors
- Dipping floors
- Buckling walls
- Visible tunnels through structural wood
How long does it take termites to cause significant damage? Usually around six months. This does not, however, mean you will notice termites in this amount of time. The damage they do is hidden, and it can sometimes take years for significant problems to become visible. To prevent Formosan termites from slipping under your radar, here are some less-obvious signs you can look for:
- Pencil-sized mud tubes crawling up your exterior foundation.
- Wood near your home with visible termite damage.
- Small pin-sized holes in structural wood around your home.
How You Can Prevent Termites
Because Formosan termites eat both dry and wet wood, there is not much you can do to make your home less appealing to them. You can, however, make your yard less attractive. To do this, start by removing organic debris such as leaf and stick piles. After this, have any dead trees or stumps removed from your property. And avoid using wood-based mulch products. Finally, keep lumber and other wood-based products a good distance away from your home.
To make your home less accessible, we recommend sealing gaps and cracks around the exterior using a caulking gun. In addition, make sure there is a non-wood barrier between exterior soil and the structural wood of your home. These things combined will make is a bit more difficult for Formosan termites to get to your home’s wood. It will also make it easier for you to spot them as they will be forced to build mud tubes to safely climb to your home’s wood.
When To Call The Professionals?
There is never a bad time to get the professionals involved when it comes to dealing with termites. Being proactive is better than being reactive. To get your home the protection it needs to stay termite-free, year-round, we have your solutions here at Able Pest Management LLC. Our team of trained pest technicians have been successfully keeping termites out of homes for over 20 years and would be happy to solve your termite problems before they occur.
Reach out to us today to learn more about our termite control options or to schedule your home for a quality inspection.
