Termites Love Water Damage : 2 Major Consequences of their Love

Water damage is more than just an annoyance. It can lead to serious harm to your Fairfield or Westchester County house or business. However, there’s also another consequence of water damage that you might not know. It draws in insects – some can bring illness and others have the potential to cause severe harm to your house.

Water damage attracts various insects such as termites, carpenter ants, beetles, silverfish, and roaches. These pests invade buildings through walls and foundations that have been weakened by the water. They often travel inside a building using electrical wires like roads. Termites cause the most harm, but what attracts them to a building damaged by water?

Termites require moist surroundings. They usually live under the ground where it’s cool and wet, therefore wood that has absorbed water provides an excellent alternative home for them and gives them plenty of food. This is why water damage that’s ignored can encourage termite infestation in any home or business.

Termite problems cause a lot of harm to structures and their damage can be expensive to fix. Removing them normally requires treating the entire building. They usually begin eating away in a hidden area and frequently the owner doesn’t realize there’s damage until he employs a specialized water damage restoration company like PuroClean to look for damage.

The Experts Agree About Water Damage

The College of Food and Agriculture at the University of Kentucky published a very detailed question-and-answer article about termite invasions. It discusses the damage termites can cause to homes and businesses, actions homeowners should take when faced with an invasion, and how difficult it is for them to detect early signs of termites in their homes or businesses. It said in part, “Oftentimes, there will be no clear indication of infestation. Termites are cryptic creatures and infestations can go undetected for years, hidden behind walls, floor coverings, insulation, and other obstructions. Termite feeding and damage can even progress undetected in exposed wood because the outer surface usually remains intact. Confirmation of termites often requires the keen eye of a professional — however, even the most experienced inspector can overlook signs that are hidden.”

If a home or business doesn’t have good airflow, or there are leaks that nobody has fixed, then termites may start living there. Therefore, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advises to repair leaks and sources of water damage immediately. Their official website guides you on how to stop these pests from entering your building.

The National Pest Management Association also points out that termites are attracted to damp weather, water in the air, and moist conditions. It noted pests like termites often gather and fly around when it’s rainy and hot. Pestworld.org published this NPMA warning: “Residual…moisture will create ideal conditions for mosquito larval habitats to form in standing water and will allow termite populations to flourish. With a rainy summer…expect increased cockroach and ant pressure as they move indoors for shelter.”

Take Immediate Action

Essentially, the main point is straightforward; don’t let water damage in your Fairfield or Westchester County home or business stay unfixed. You must deal with it right away to prevent termites and other kinds of harm from causing serious problems to your property.

Hire a trained pest control company to evaluate whether your home has termite damage. Then contact the experts in water damage cleanup at PuroClean of Wilton | Ridgefield right away to clean up and remove any water damage to make sure termites don’t return. No matter if it’s a large or minor issue, we’re prepared to handle it. Look us up on linkedin, facebook, instagram, or call us on 475.277.2400.