These teensy bugs can pack some serious punch. It’s estimated that termites cause over $5 billion worth of damage to American properties each year. They can decimate your home, its value, and are a stressful problem for Kentucky homeowners.

You don’t want to let a termite problem fester, and it’s best to catch the pests as early as possible.

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How to tell if you have a termite problem

Termites are really the silent killer of your home’s structure. They’re easy to miss unless you know what to look for and can do some serious damage if left unchecked.

When it comes to catching termites, the earlier, the better, meaning you’ll want to keep your eyes peeled for these early signs of a termite infestation:

Mud tubes: This is the telltale sign of a subterranean termite infestation. This kind of termite constructs thin tunnels made of mud and saliva to enter your foundation. The tubes are often found in walls and along your home’s foundation.

Droppings: Gross, we know, but if you notice little piles of sawdust or salt and pepper-looking droppings, chances are they were left by some termites.

Discarded wings: These are typically found around window sills.

Hollow-sounding walls: If you rap on your walls and notice it sounds echoey and hollow, that’s another key sign of a termite infestation.

Wood damage: With a flat-head screwdriver, probe the suspect wood to check if it is decayed, hollowed out, or weakened.

Pro Tip Also check for dirt or sod packed into your home’s wooden features. This is another sign of a termite problem, as termites are known to pack their surroundings to keep them dark and moist.

Are termites an issue in Kentucky?

Termites are found throughout Kentucky, from Paducah to Louisville to Lexington to Richmond. Kentucky is considered to have significant potential for termite damage, as calculated by Termite Infestation Probability Zones.

Termites come in various shapes and sizes, but the subterranean termite is the most common type found in Kentucky. And unfortunately, subterranean termites are the baddest of the bad.

Subterranean termites

These pesky bugs are the most destructive breed of termite. As their name implies, they burrow beneath your home, build sprawling colonies, and munch on the structure of your home—like an underground city of bugs.

Subterranean termites seek humidity, dampness, and warmth. So, generally, they’ll swarm on warm days following heavy rainfall or to heated buildings in winter. Here are the most common swarming habits of the different kinds of subterranean termites found in Kentucky:

Eastern subterranean termite: Swarms in daylight from February to May. This is the most common type found in Kentucky.

Dark southeastern subterranean termite: Swarms in daylight between March and June.

Light southeastern subterranean termite: Swarms in daylight from August to October.

As you can see, termites in Kentucky don’t ever really take a month off!

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What to do if you have termites

Back in the day, the only way to get rid of termites was by using harsh, toxic chemicals, many of which have either been banned or phased out. Nowadays, when it comes to getting rid of termites, you’ve got some options.

Bait stations. You or an exterminator can leave small plastic containers filled with a pesticide that attracts termites. In this method, the termites take the poison back to their nest, killing the colony. While this method is less invasive than others, it could take months to get rid of the termites.

Borates. Borate is a liquid pesticide that is nontoxic to people or mammals (meaning it’s pet-safe). Once sprayed, the pesticide will kill any termite that attempts to break the barrier. It will not smell or affect the appearance of the wood. Plus, you can do this treatment yourself.

Soil drench. In this method, a chemical barrier is pumped into the soil around and under the house to repel and kill termite colonies.

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How to save money on homeowners insurance

Termite damage is not usually covered by your

homeowners insurance

policy. But, if you own a home, you’ll need insurance to protect you from a whole range of other perils.

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FAQs

Where should I look for termites?

Certain areas of your home are more vulnerable to a termite infestation than others. Termites love moisture, so be wary of crawl spaces, wall cavities, dated ventilation systems, and attics. If left unchecked, they could become real termite hotbeds.

How can I prevent termites?

Luckily, there is plenty you can do to deter termites from invading your home:

Clean overflowing gutters

Use splash blocks to divert water away from the foundation.

Fix any leaks immediately

Don’t leave any tree stumps or scrap wood near your home. If you have firewood, be sure to store it off the ground at least 15 feet from your house.

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