homeowners typically only have to contend with two termite species. Unfortunately, they are two of the most destructive termite species found anywhere.

If you own a home in Kansas, you must familiarize yourself with how to handle a termite infestation at your house.

If left unchecked to sink their little teeth into your home, termites will create serious damage that could result in thousands of dollars of repairs. Fortunately,

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How to tell if you have a termite infestation

Part of what makes termites so troublesome is that they’re very difficult to detect. When a termite swarm enters your house, these tiny uninvited guests could eat away your floors and walls for weeks or even months before you realize your home is in trouble.

Having a good grasp of the warning signs associated with a termite infestation is the best way to stay one step ahead of these destructive insects. Look out for these telltale signs of termite activity:

Mud tubes are tiny mud tunnels built along the foundation of your house.

Hollow-sounding walls can mean termites have eaten away the wood inside your dwelling.

Discarded wings, especially those found by a window sill, can mean termites have found a route into your home.

Termite droppings, or

frass

, look like small piles of sawdust and could mean bad news if you find them inside your house.

Other signs that a termite infestation is afoot include bubbling paint, swollen walls, and little circular holes in your drywall.

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Are termites a problem in Kansas?

Kansan homeowners are at moderate risk of termite damage. There are two types of termites in Kansas that rear their tiny little heads the most.

Subterranean termites

Subterranean termites are more commonly known as the most destructive termite species because they never sleep. Subterranean termites burrow into your home through your foundation and eat through your wood 24 hours a day, leaving barely any trace.

There are numerous species of subterranean termites, including eastern, dark southeastern, light southeastern, and arid-land subterranean termites. The swarm time varies greatly for each species. The eastern subterranean is most active from March to May during the daytime. The dark southeastern termite also swarms during the day, but between March and June. The light southeastern swarms during the daylight hours from August to October and arid-land subterranean termites typically swarm during the day in both the spring and fall.

Drywood termites

Drywood termites, as you might imagine, exclusively feast on dry wood, usually in attics or other dry areas of your house. Piles of droppings are the number one indicator that you have a drywood termite infestation.

Drywood termites are not as prevalent as their subterranean cousins, but they are found in Kansas. Drywood termites have a very distinct appearance. Not only are they larger than subterranean termites, but drywood termites also have a unique patterning on their front wings.

Drywood termites typically swarm all year, so stay on the lookout regardless of the weather.

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What to do if you have termites

If you notice the fateful signs of a termite infestation, there are a host of ways to attack the problem.

When it comes to natural solutions, there are three options:

Nematodes are parasitic worms that eat termites. If you let nematodes loose in the infested area, the worms will reproduce and devour all termites in the area.

Vinegar is another natural and effective solution. Spray the infested area and wait for the termites to feed on the wood. Vinegar is also effective at killing termites inside walls.

Wet cardboard is another great natural resource for killing termites. Termites love wet cardboard. Once they start chewing into the cardboard, burn the sheet and the termites along with it.

Treating termite infestations with chemical agents is another effective solution to killing termites on your property, but seek a professional for this strategy.

How to save money on homeowners insurance

Unfortunately, your

homeowners insurance

policy usually does not cover termite damage. Being aware of the warning signs of a termite infestation is the only way you can protect yourself against termite damage.

There is good news, though. When it comes to mother nature’s many other perils, homeowners insurance protection is the answer—which makes having a policy that fits your needs so important. You can get the best deals on your home insurance (and save big on

car insurance

at the same time) by downloading the Jerry app.

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FAQs

When are termites in Kansas most likely to appear?

In Kansas, termites are most locally to swarm on a warm day after a significant rainfall. So be particularly vigilant in spring!

How often should you treat for termites in Kansas?

Treatment timelines depend on the specific treatment you deploy. Liquid treatment should last for up to five years but bait stations require monitoring every few months.

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