2022 Is a Banner Year for Termites

Louisville, KY (June 8, 2022) -- Being told you have termites in your home is one of the scariest things a homeowner can hear. It conjures up images of unseen vermin literally eating you out of house and home… and they can.

“I wouldn’t wish termites on any homeowner’s property,” says Janelle Iaccino, a pest expert known as The Bug Girl with Franklin Pest Solutions, www.franklinpestsolutions.com located in Louisville. Subterranean termites, the ones seen in Kentucky, are capable of more damage to homes each year than fires, earthquakes and tornadoes combined,” she said.

And they love moisture which Kentucky has had plenty of since the beginning of the year. “We are predicting a banner year for termites,” Iaccino said.

Unfortunately, there is an emotional toll that takes place as well. It can make you feel embarrassed amongst friends and neighbors.

“An infestation can unknowingly start at one home and easily spread to other homes,” Iaccino said. No one wants their home to be labeled as the site of the initial infestation.”

Termites are responsible for damaging nearly 600,000 U.S. homes each year, causing more than $5-billion in damage yearly. Some colonies can have more than two-million members. They can cause collapse to an entire building and financial ruin for the owner.

Signs of infestation are so subtle that by the time homeowners realize there’s a problem, there could be significant damage.

Known as “Silent Destroyers” because you can’t always see their colonies or damage, it’s easy for them to stay hidden because they live underground. One telltale sign of a colony invasion is mud tubes which are easy to miss and usually by the time they are identified, the damage has been done.

Carpenter ants are another wood-destroying insect, more common than termites but doing just as much structural damage. Instead of eating wood, they chew through it and tunnel through it. It looks similar to an ant farm only in wood. “Even though you wouldn’t want either in your home, it can be easy to confuse termites and carpenter ants. They have some similarities when you’re not used to seeing them at all but there is a huge difference between the damage a termite can cause,” Iaccino said.

“It’s kind of gross but termites look like maggots and they chew through wood like an invisible wood chipper,” Iaccino said.

The key to protecting homes is to work with a professional to assess the situation. “It’s a good idea to have a home inspected each year to catch a problem before it happens,” Iaccino said.

To help prevent termite infestations, eliminate wood contact with soil. Make sure at least four inches of foundation can be seen all around the home. Avoid water accumulation near a home’s foundation. Divert water away with properly functioning gutters, downspouts and splash blocks. Fix all roof and plumbing leaks as soon as possible.

Options for controlling existing infestations include placing a termite product barrier in the soil to prevent access to wood structures, and in-ground bait stations as the green option. Here are some tips homeowners can do to help keep termites away:

1. Stack firewood away from the home. Firewood is especially attractive to termites, and having it too close to the home can attract them inside. Be sure to store firewood at least 20 feet from the home and five feet off of the ground.
2. Correct drainage issues. Termites love water and clogged gutters offer the perfect opportunity to collect moisture. Divert rainwater away from the foundation of your home using down-spout extenders and be sure to regularly clear your gutters of leaves and debris.
3. Make wise landscaping decisions. Although mulch can provide a beautiful touch to a yard, it serves as a meal for termites and also retains water. Minimize the use of mulch and be sure to keep it raked back at least 15 inches from the foundation of the home.
4. Trim tree branches and foliage away from the house. Tree limbs hanging over the house and foliage touching the structure of the house can provide a pathway to your home for termites and ants seeking new colony locations.
5. Remove rotten wood. Any rotting wood material is an easy meal for termites, so be sure to remove any logs or tree stumps from your property.
6. Replace old wooden window frames. Make sure any wooden window frames are intact and not showing signs of water damage. This may require replacing windows.

If you think or know that you have an issue with termites, ants, or any other pests, reach out to the professionals at Franklin. 800-GOT-PESTS? As an added benefit to Franklin’s residential most popular residential service, free termite risk assessment is provided.

About Franklin Pest Solutions, LLC

Since 1929, Franklin Pest Solutions and sister company Rose Pest Solutions have been trusted in the Midwest to keep homes and businesses free from insects, rodents and more. Using cutting-edge technology, environmentally friendly methods, and personalized unique solutions, Franklin and Rose are dedicated to creating and maintaining healthier living environments. Owned by the Dold Family, Franklin Pest Solutions proudly serves communities in Indiana and Kentucky and Rose Pest Solutions proudly serves all of Chicagoland, the Greater Milwaukee area, and South Central Wisconsin. For more information, see www.franklinpestsolutions.com and www.rosepestcontrol.com