What Pests Are Most Damaging to Olathe Houses?

Living in Olathe, KS means enjoying four seasons, beautiful neighborhoods, and natural charm. But it also means living with some unwanted visitors that are trying to sneak into your home. But there are kinds of pests that can seriously hit your home and your wallet.  Learn more about them below:

Termites are Hidden Destroyers

Termites take the top spot as the most damaging pest to homes in Olathe. These tiny insects might not look like much, but they are responsible for billions of dollars in property damage across the U.S. each year.

The most common type in Olathe is the subterranean termite. These termites live in underground colonies and make their way into homes through soil, cracks in the foundation, and other hidden entry points. They feed on wood non-stop once inside. Thankfully, you can minimize this risk by having experts from saelapest.com inspect your home thoroughly for termites and treat an existing issue. 

Why Termites Are Dangerous

What makes termites such a threat is how quietly they work. You usually do not see them out in the open. Instead, they build mud tubes to travel between their colony and your home, staying hidden while they eat through your walls, floors, and beams.

Over time, this silent chewing can cause major damage to the structure of your home. You might not even know it is happening until the wood starts to feel soft, paint begins to bubble, or your floors start to sag.

What Does Termite Damage Look Like?

It is important to recognize the signs of trouble since termites do their work out of sight. Here are a few common clues:

• Hollow-sounding wood. A wood that is compromised by termites can sound hollow when tapped.

• Mud tubes. Termites create these tubes as their pathway to your home from their colony. They usually run up the side of your foundation.
• Small holes or bubbling paint. You might notice these issues on your walls when termites have damaged your home’s structures. 
• Doors and windows that stick for no clear reason. Weakened structures can cause this problem.
• Discarded wings around windows and light fixtures. A termite infestation exists when you notice swarming termites.

Call a pest control professional right away for an inspection if you notice these signs. 

Other Common Pests in Olathe

Termites are the biggest offenders when it comes to structural damage, but they are not the only pests in town. Here are a few other unwelcome visitors you might run into:

• Carpenter ants. These species are sometimes mistaken for termites because they also damage wood. The difference is that they don’t eat it. Instead, they chew through it to build nests. Over time, a large colony of carpenter ants can weaken beams, window frames, and other wooden areas in your home. 
• Mice and rats. Mice and rats love to chew on wires, insulation, pipes, and walls. This creates a risk of electrical fires and water damage. Also, they leave behind droppings and urine that can spread disease. These rodents are sneaky and fast breeders. Eliminating them will be hard without help once inside. 
• Carpenter Bees. These pests have a bad habit of drilling holes into wooden structures like decks, railings, and siding. A few bees might not cause much harm; however, repeated activity year after year can seriously weaken these outdoor structures.

How to Protect Your Home

Keeping your home safe from damaging pests takes a bit of effort, but it is worth it. Here are some ways to reduce your risk:

• Keep moisture under control. This can be done by fixing sources of moisture such as leaky pipes and poor drainage. Also, using dehumidifiers in basements can reduce your home’s moisture level. 
• Seal entry points. Check for cracks around the foundation, doors, and windows that termites can use to enter your home. Seal them with caulk or weather stripping.
• Avoid wood-to-soil contact. Make sure decks, steps, and siding are not sitting directly on the ground. Otherwise, they can be  used by termites as a bridge to your home. 
• Store firewood away from the house. Keep firewood raised off the ground and at least 20 feet from your home.
• Get regular inspections. Annual termite checks can catch problems early and give you peace of mind.