Termites cause millions of dollars of property damage every year. If you live in an apartment and you spot termites, it can feel like the end of the world.
So what do you do when you find termites in your apartment? How do you even spot apartment termites?
That’s what we’re here to look at today. Read on to find out how to spot signs of termites and how to get rid of them here.
Call Your Landlord
The most daunting thing about termites in your apartment is the potential cost. Worry not, as most tenants aren’t responsible for the damages that termites can cause.
Landlords are responsible for creating habitable environments for their tenants, so termite issues often fall on their hands. Not dealing with termites in a timely manner could even break rental laws.
As such, calling your landlord and telling them about the issue is the best course of action. They’ll contact a local exterminator to efficiently deal with the infestation.
If the problem is making your apartment inhabitable, landlords should be able to give you a temporary place to live while the exterminators work everything out. They should reimburse you for all of these expenses as well.
Will The Tenant Have To Cover?
Tenants are responsible for dealing with apartment termites if they created a termite-friendly environment. This means the tenant is deliberately living in environments that are welcoming for termites.
Warm, musty, and dark spots are prime areas for termites to flock to. If you deliberately live in an excessively moist apartment, the fault might fall on you.
In that case, you’ll have to call your own exterminators to get rid of the problem. The landlord might even put in a notice to get rid of the termites or risk eviction.
How to Spot Termites In Your Apartment
Whether or not you’re at fault for the termite infestation, it’s important that you know how to spot these pests in the first place.
If you find flat, muddy tubes along your walls or flooring, that’s usually a sign that termites are living in your apartment. They can also create these mud tubes along pipes and other fixtures.
Damaged wood is also a key indicator for termites. This might be harder to spot since it’s not always clear what constitutes a damaged piece of wood. Check your wardrobes, cabinets, and wooden beams for signs.
Termites will also leave droppings in your house. They’re incredibly small and are more akin to sawdust. They can also shed their wings and leave them in areas they’re swarming.
If you aren’t sure about signs of termites or how to get rid of them, you should invest in termite inspections every few months. That way you can get expert opinions on whether you’ve got any issues or not.
Preventing Termites in Apartment
Preventing termites in apartment buildings can be tough since detecting termites is difficult. But knowing how to deal with apartment termites is all about contacting the right people and being vigilant.
Use this article to help you understand how to spot termites and what to do if you know you’ve got a problem on your hands. For more information on home improvement and other topics, check out the rest of our site!
