Did you know that in the United States, termites are responsible for almost $5 billion worth of property damage every year? A lot of this damage could be avoided with early detection and termite treatment in Knoxville, but unfortunately, these pests can be dining out on the structure of your home for some time before you notice there is a problem!

Let's take a look at how to detect them, how to deter them, and how to terminate them!

Detecting Termites

If you suspect that you have a termite problem, or even if you just want to check as a precaution, the best course of action is to call on a licensed pest control provider offering termite treatment in Knoxville. Professionals know exactly where to look and can correctly identify which type of infestation is in progress. However, there are a few things that you can keep an eye out for as a backup between inspections that might indicate it's time for some termite treatment in Knoxville.

• Damp Wood - Termites almost always prefer a moist habitat. Common spots include close to the foundations, under leaky gutters, and near overgrown bushes.
• Blistered Wood - Termites feed on wood, and when they have chewed through a table leg, skirting board, or door, they leave behind a thin paperlike veneer. This usually appears blistered and will easily break under light pressure.
• Mud Tubes - Check your foundation and crawl-space walls for tunnels up to an inch wide. Termites use these to travel to and from their nest. These could be old tunnels, but you likely have an active infestation if there are insects inside.
• Flying Swarms - If you spot swarms of winged termites or piles of shed wings indoors, then it is likely you are in need of termite treatment in Knoxville. Outdoors is not always a problem, but you may still want to use pest control to make sure they don't invite themselves in!
• Holes & Droppings - One of the most well-known signs of termites is finding pinpoint holes in wood, especially if there are small piles of pellet droppings nearby. Larger holes are more likely caused by carpenter bees or powder-post beetle.

Identifying Termites

It is very common for homeowners to identify ants as termites mistakenly! This is understandable as they have some similarities that make them easily confused to the untrained eye! Some key points to remember are that ants have front wings that are much longer than the rear wings, and their antennae are bent at a 90-degree angle. In comparison, termites wings are more or less equal in lengths, and the antennae are straight, although they may droop slightly!

Deterring Termites

East Tennessee is within the number one area of the US for termite infestation. There are between 3 and 6 colonies of termites in every acre of ground in Tennessee! No wonder there is such a demand for termite treatment in Knoxville. With such an abundance of these pests around, it is important to take steps to deter them! In addition to hiring a professional pest control provider to protect your home from termites, these are some of the things you can do to make termites feel unwelcome on your property!

• Trim shrubs and keep them clear of the house
• Clean out overflowing gutters and use splash blocks to help divert water away from your home's foundation
• Flashing or air space can be used to isolate wood from concrete or masonry
• Store all firewood at least 15 feet from your house and keep it elevated off the ground
• Fix leaks as soon as possible to avoid moist spots
• Avoid using mulch close to wooden trim or siding

Termite Treatment in Knoxville

When you hire a professional pest control service for termite treatment in Knoxville, the first step is usually an inspection to get a better idea of the scale of the problem. This allows for the creation of a custom treatment program that will meet the needs of your property and terminate your termite invaders! In most cases, a combination of termite baiting stations to prevent termites from molting, resulting in death and the application of a barrier treatment around your home for protection against foraging termites.

One of the best available options for termite treatment in Knoxville is the breakthrough Advance Termite Baiting System by BASF. This is the next generation of termite treatment and delivers the fastest successful colony elimination possible. Otis Termite & Pest Control can provide this new termite treatment program; just give us a call on 865-690-1662 to discuss your pest control needs.

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Otis Termite & Pest Control is a full-service pest control company with a focus on outstanding service. We have been serving the East Tennessee area for over 56 years and our reputation is built on prompt and effective service. We’re good at what we do and we’re fast. We do the job right the first time – and that’s an actual guarantee! 

Call 865.690.1662 or visit www.otispestcontrol.net.