Termites cause the most structural damage to homes by a wide margin, followed by carpenter ants and rodents.
Termites are the clear leader. They consume wood from the inside out, often with no visible sign at the surface, and they cause billions of dollars in property damage across the country each year - costs a homeowner policy will not cover. Annual inspection and a protection system are the defense.
Carpenter ants do not eat wood but excavate it to nest, weakening framing over time, and their presence usually points to a moisture problem worth fixing. Rodents are the third - they gnaw constantly, and chewed electrical wiring in walls and attics is a recognized fire risk on top of the contamination they leave.
All three do their worst damage out of sight, which is why an inspection matters more than waiting for an obvious problem. By the time the damage shows, the repair is usually the larger bill.
This is part of our residential pest control service across the Manassas and Northern Virginia area.
Mud tubes on foundation walls, hollow-sounding wood, and discarded wings in spring are signs, but many infestations show nothing at the surface. An inspection is the reliable answer.
Yes. Rodents gnaw on electrical wiring, and that damage in an attic or wall is a documented cause of house fires.
Schedule an inspection or call 703-853-1904. We will give you a straight answer for your home.
