Overview: Termites' Effects

Termites and Your Home

Most termites live underground and can enter your home through bath traps, plumbing outlets, utility openings, duct work and construction joints. Also, over time the concrete slab beneath your home can crack or shrink away from the foundation wall, allowing termites living in the soil below to infest the wood above.

Once they enter your home, termites feed on the home's wood structure, slowly eating away at your home, sabotaging its structural integrity and its value. Learn more about the silent destruction termites cause and signs of termite damage.

Often, you can't see termite damage, which is why it's important to complete some simple home maintenance steps and work with a pest control professional to schedule regular termite inspections and preventive treatments – especially if you live in a termite hot zone.

If you have a termite problem, several effective termite control methods are available to keep termites from coming back. Each treatment has advantages and disadvantages, so be sure to work with your pest management professional to tailor a program that's right for your home.