Whenever there’s a wooden structure in your home, there’s bound to be termites present in it. From wooden walls up to your roofing system, as long as there’s wood, it is vulnerable to termites. Termites can inhabit areas where moisture is trapped. These spaces include fireplaces, roof beams, bathrooms, and ceiling rafters. Termites in the ceiling can be particular concern due to issues they may cause around structural integrity.
Different varieties of termites establish colonies on particular home spaces. Although you can acquire the service of a professional for termite concerns, you have the responsibility to assess your house and commit to preventive measures. Here’s how you can do it…
Warning Signs of Termite Infestations
To help you identify whether a termite infestation is happening, here are some tell-tale signs you need to watch out for…
- Loose roof tiles
- Discoloration and bubbling on ceilings (appears similar to water damage)
- Presence of tiny wood pellets (termite fecal matter) underneath rafters
- Buckling or sagging spaces in your ceiling
- Wood pieces with visible holes and hollow when tapped
- Living or dead winged termites at any openings on your home (windows and doors).
- Mud tubes vertically aligned outside of your house
Take note that the presence of winged termites is an indicator of an existing infestation. Although it can look similar to a winged ant, winged termites have bodies that are rounder than ants’ bodies. Plus, their antenna is straight, unlike that of an ant that is L-shaped.
Preventive Measures to Protect Your Ceiling
Termite damage may seem insignificant at first up until it rots wooden structures away, leading to an increased risk of an unsafe home. To address this problem, here are some of the most effective termite preventive strategies you can undertake…
- Roof leaks, damaged eaves, fascia boards, and shingles must be fixed immediately
- Plumbing leaks under your housing structure must be addressed upon inspection
- Regularly clean your gutter from dirt or debris to allow proper drainage
- Exposed wooden space on your house’s exterior must be sealed, painted or stained
- Wood debris must be properly disposed to avoid the accumulation
- Use mulch away from your home especially if you have an installed wooden siding
- Regularly trim shrubs and vegetation in your garden or around your vicinity
- Cut tree limbs resting on any part of your home or your roof to avoid touching wooden structures
- Call a professional pest control in the event that you suspect termite damage on your ceiling and roofing.
You can prolong the durability of your roof by being aware and proactive with potential risks such as termite damage. Do this by conducting regular ceiling and roofing checks to make sure that termite infestations aren’t occurring without your knowledge. Need help resolving termite issues that got out of hand? Rely on Picton Pest Control for professional pest control measures that can make your roofing termite-free.