It's Termite Season. Are You Prepared?
As the weather across the nation warms, it's hard to miss spring flowers popping up out of the ground, but signs of termites can easily go unnoticed. These destructive pests cause $6.8 billion in property damage every year when adjusted for current inflation, emphasizing the importance of proper termite prevention. With termite swarming season right around corner, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) is educating homeowners about the destructive nature of these pests during Termite Awareness Week, March 3-9.
A recent survey conducted online by The Harris Poll on behalf of NPMA found that more than half of U.S. homeowners, or 54%, are aware of the damage that termites can cause to buildings and structures. Even still, only 31% of U.S. homeowners take preventive measures to protect their home from termite infestations and 27% of homeowners have had a professional termite inspection conducted at their home.
"The serious damage to the structure of a home caused by a termite infestation is usually not covered by homeowners insurance, which can leave Americans with a hefty bill to pay," said Dr. Jim Fredericks, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs for NPMA. "While this pest is especially problematic in warmer states, they can be found almost anywhere in the U.S., and every home is at risk. This is why it is critical for homeowners to have regular termite inspections, as pest control professionals know the signs to look for and can get into the hidden areas of a home where the infestations often occur just out of sight."
This Termite Awareness Week, NPMA is sharing the signs of an infestation and helpful tips for homeowners to use to protect their property. The most common signs a home is infested with termites are the following:
- Presence of large numbers of flying termites (often confused with flying ants)
- Mud shelter tubes (used by termites to reach a food source)
- Damaged wood containing mud or dirt
- Discarded wings near doors or on windowsills
- Wood that sounds hollow when tapped
- Blistered paint on wooden surfaces
- Small piles of pellets near or underneath damaged wood
"Taking preventative steps can help reduce the chances of a termite infestation," added Fredericks. "Diverting water away from your property and reducing moisture in general is a great first step, as these pests are attracted to damp habitats. Additionally, be sure to keep firewood stored away from the building to avoid attracting termites to the structure, don't allow mulch to cover the bottom of siding, and make sure wooden parts of the structure are not in contact with the soil."
To schedule a termite inspection or remove termites from your property, be sure to contact a qualified pest control professional as this is not a do-it-yourself task. For more information, visit PestWorld.org.
Survey Methodology
This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of NPMA between February 13 -15, 2024 among 1,317 U.S homeowners ages 18+. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +/- 2.5 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. For complete survey methodology, please contact [email protected].
About the National Pest Management Association
The NPMA, a non-profit organization with more than 5,500 members, was established in 1933 to support the pest management industry's commitment to the protection of public health, food and property from the diseases and dangers of pests. For more information, visit PestWorld.org or follow @PestWorld on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, TikTok and YouTube and @PestWorldOfficial on Instagram.
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