It is nearly impossible to reach an end with the number of species of pests around the world; they invade homes and create a ruckus almost regularly. However, not all pests are as equally problematic as one another, across all geographical locations. For instance, if one of the bugs is particularly notorious in the Southern part of the country, it might not be as worrisome in the North. 

The most common types of house pests in the USA ranked are termites, ants, rodents, earwigs, millipedes, paper wasps, fleas, and bees. Out of all of these pests, termites are regarded as one of the most destructive pests that have ever been alive to wreak havoc. Although they are indeed biologically indispensable as far as enhancing the ecological cycle of the forest, termites are probably the world’s most hazardous, major home destructors. They live in cooperative groups. It is difficult for homeowners to distinguish them from ants. It becomes very difficult to detect termites, as their presence only becomes known through the damage they inflict upon the hardware of the house. According to researches, termites cause losses worth several billions of dollars every year, and homeowners spend billions dollars to get rid of the pests.

How can homeowners prevent and exterminate termites? 

In order to prevent an attack from termites, homeowners must be able to spot and differentiate them from ants. Unlike ants, the wings of termites are almost equal in length and their antennae are mostly straight. 

To prevent termite infestation, one must be ensured that the soil around the foundation of their house is dry after construction and allows proper drainage. Also, the openings around the structure should be reduced as it furnishes the pests with easy access into the building. Vents that have some kind of blockage and leaks around the building must be fixed at the earliest. Most importantly, the premises of the house should be kept free of wood or firewood debris. 

For the extermination of termites, there are chemical treatments and non-chemical treatments. In order to apply chemical treatments, the pest control company must only use those products that are reviewed and permitted by law, so as to not inflict any health risks or harms to the environment. Some of the government-approved chemical treatments include wood treatments, termite baits, liquid soil-applied pesticides, and termiticides. 

For non-chemical treatments, homeowners must be sure to remove easy food sources that the termites could be possibly feeding on. Following this, the most popular solution for eliminating them is to build a tall barrier similar to a waterproof membrane across the foundation of the house. As it isn’t easy for the termites to move through the sandy soil, establishing a barrier can relatively slow down these pests.  Sand granules of comparatively larger size and steel mesh are effective barriers against colonies of termites.

You may find it hard to believe that creatures so small and quiet can cause so much destruction. If you have been infested by termites, call a licensed exterminator immediately.