Discovering termites on your property can be an unwelcome surprise. However, there are things you can do to deter them from invading your personal space. How do you know if what you’re dealing with is a termite? The pest control team at Bruce Terminix Service Co., based in Saint Charles, Missouri, has over 45 years of experience battling these pesky critters, and they have some excellent advice to help you detect and eliminate them.

It begins with a better understanding of termites. The problem with these pests is they don’t usually make their presence known until they’ve done damage to your property. These are some signs, however, you may notice:

• Damaged Wood: Termites can chew through a lot of wood in their hunt for cellulose, their primary source of nutrition. As they do this, they leave grooves that can weaken it to the point of structural damage. The problem is this damage isn’t always evident right away since they chew from beneath the surface.
• Termite Droppings: Termite excrement, also known as frass, is often mistaken for sawdust. Look carefully, though—frass is pellet-shaped and usually the color of wood, versus sawdust, which is finer and looks like shavings.
• Little Wings: Some termites introduce themselves by flying to your windows and shedding their wings. Known as swarmers, they look like ants and tend to appear primarily during spring. Take into account the presence of wings and the time of the year—these are strong indications that you’re dealing with termites.

If you discover any of these signs, it’s important to call a pest control company quickly. They’ll inspect your property to determine the severity of the problem and prevent them from coming back. In the meantime, you can do your part by keeping all wood sources away from your home. This includes everything from lumber and mulch to firewood and debris. Carefully trim shrubs around the house, and have any infested trees and plants removed.

Schedule regular termite inspections with a residential pest control expert to prevent future outbreaks. For more information on how they can help you with a potential termite or other pest control problem, visit the Bruce Terminix Service Co. website, or call (636) 947-1452 to schedule an appointment.