Many homeowners mistakenly believe they are safe from termite damage because of their brick exterior. Assuming this costs Elmhurst residents thousands of dollars in unforeseen repairs every year. Although termites cannot eat through brick, they can cause long-term structural damage; however, they do not have to chomp through your walls. They find alternative routes in.
Termite colonies will always be attracted to the wooden framework behind those beautiful brick facades, floor joists, and support beams. Elmhurst’s humid climate and clay soil actually provide conditions quite conducive to termite activity that many homeowners are aware of. That allows you to safeguard your investment before all is lost. Remember, if you believe termites are in the vicinity, pointepestcontrol.net can save you a lot of money and trouble later.
The Hidden Vulnerability in Brick Construction
The bricks that make up your home contribute to the masquerade. Brick even offers little that termites actually need to get into your home’s wood. Pests slip in through tiny cracks in mortar joints, gaps around every entry point where utility lines come in or through the foundation, and where brick meets wood framing. Inside, they munch on floor joists, wall studs, and support beams.
Even a brick home has a wooden support structure, so it is just as vulnerable as any other wood-sided home. The real danger? That brick face hides termite damage under it till it gets serious. During a casual inspection, you will not find mud tubes on exterior walls or hear hollow-sounding wood. And by the time sagging floors or sticking doors signal trouble, termites might have been dining for years already.
Elmhurst’s Conditions That Favor Termite Activity
- Climate and Soil Composition
Even a brick home has a wooden support structure, so it is just as vulnerable as any other wood-sided home. That brick face hides termite damage under it till it gets serious. During a casual inspection, you will not find mud tubes on exterior walls or hear hollow-sounding wood. And by the time sagging floors or sticking doors signal trouble, termites might have been dining for years already.
- Local Housing Characteristics
There are a number of factors that make Elmhurst homes especially appealing to termites:
- Mature landscaping: Most of the homes in Elmhurst have established trees and shrubs directly adjacent to the foundation, which are perfect moisture traps and direct highways for termites.
- Older home construction: Much of Elmhurst’s housing stock is pre-1960, the years before modern termite prevention methods were commonplace.
- Wood-to-soil contact: Many older homes have wood that touches soil, including support posts, deck footings, or siding, effectively rolling out the red carpet for termites
- Basement moisture: Elmhurst is at the far western edge of the swamp, with a high water table and clay soil, so wet basements are common, particularly in homes along Salt Creek.
Preventive Measures for Elmhurst Homeowners
Preventing it effectively begins with controlling moisture around your foundation. Clean out the gutters and downspouts, directing them away from the house by six feet. Please get rid of leaky outdoor faucets; however small you think the drip, it provides termites with the damp they feed on. Put away firewood, mulch, and lumber stacked against the foundation. These items hold moisture and also provide food sources right at the edge of your home.
Cut back any shrubs or tree branches that come into contact with your siding; they restrict airflow, which causes wood to stay moist. Make sure you caulk any cracks in your foundation and any areas where utilities penetrate your walls.
Annual termite inspections are recommended for homes built before 1970 or for those with evidence of termites in your neighborhood. When diagnosed early, treatment can be much simpler and less expensive.
Why Professional Pest Control Pays Off
American homeowners pay more than $5 billion annually for termite damage, and most homeowners’ insurance policies do not cover it, making professional pest control a wise financial decision, not an optional expense. Businesses like Pointe Pest Control have specialized knowledge of the pests in Elmhurst, making them ready for any inspection. They know how the local soil conditions, construction styles, and climate patterns interact to create distinctive weaknesses in local homes.