Signs of Termite and Rodent Infestations 

Living in Keller, TX, offers the charm of suburban life, but the warm, humid climate of the Dallas-Fort Worth area also attracts pests like termites and rodents. These invaders can cause significant damage to your home, compromise its structural integrity, and pose health risks. Prize Pest Control, a locally owned company with nearly 30 years of experience, specializes in identifying and resolving pest issues with safe, effective, and tailored solutions. Recognizing the early signs of termite and rodent infestations is crucial to protecting your property. Below, we outline the key indicators to watch for, along with how Prize Pest Control can help safeguard your home.

Signs of a Termite Infestation

Termites are silent destroyers, often causing extensive damage before homeowners notice. Subterranean and drywood termites, common in Keller, can weaken foundations, walls, and furniture. Here are the telltale signs to look for:

1. Discarded Wings: After swarming to establish new colonies, termites shed their translucent wings. You may find small piles near windowsills, doorframes, garages, or patios, especially in spring or after rain.

2. Mud Tubes: Subterranean termites build pencil-thin, muddy tunnels along foundations, exterior walls, or crawlspaces. These tubes protect them as they travel between their underground colony and your home’s wood.

3. Hollow or Damaged Wood: Tap wooden surfaces like beams, floors, or furniture. If they sound hollow or look blistered, darkened, or maze-like inside, termites may be at work. Check baseboards and window frames for subtle damage.

4. Frass (Termite Droppings): Drywood termites leave tiny, wood-colored pellets (frass) near infested areas. These piles, resembling sawdust or coarse sand, often appear under furniture or near small holes in wood.

5. Tight-Fitting Doors and Windows: Termite tunneling introduces moisture, causing wooden frames to warp. If doors or windows suddenly stick or are hard to open, it could indicate termite activity.

6. Bubbling Paint or Peeling Wallpaper: As termites eat through wood beneath surfaces, they create moisture pockets, leading to bubbling paint or peeling wallpaper that mimics water damage.

7. Swarmers or Live Termites: Spotting winged termites (swarmers) indoors or outdoors near your home signals an active colony. Swarmers are often mistaken for flying ants but have straight antennae and equal-length wings.

Prize Pest Control’s Termite Solutions

Termites can cost homeowners thousands in repairs, but Prize Pest Control’s proactive approach ensures your property stays protected:

• Free Termite Inspections: Our trained technicians conduct thorough inspections, checking for mud tubes, frass, and wood damage. We use advanced tools like moisture meters and thermal imaging to detect hidden activity.

• Customized Treatment Plans: We offer eco-friendly solutions, including liquid barriers, baiting systems, and fumigation for severe infestations. Our treatments target termites at every life stage, from workers to reproductives.

• Ongoing Protection Plans: Our termite defense programs include regular monitoring and preventative treatments to stop infestations before they start. We use industry-leading, pet-safe products to ensure your family’s safety.

• Structural Safeguards: We address moisture issues and recommend repairs to wood-to-soil contact points, reducing termite attractants.

• Customer Education: Our team explains findings clearly and provides tips to maintain a termite-free home, such as keeping mulch away from foundations and fixing leaks promptly.

With Prize Pest Control, you’ll gain peace of mind knowing your Keller home is shielded from termite damage. Our 24/7 phone support 214-447-0016 ensures rapid response when you spot signs of trouble.

Signs of a Rodent Infestation

Rodents, including mice and rats, are common in Keller, especially during cooler months when they seek warmth and food. These pests can chew through wires, contaminate surfaces, and spread diseases like hantavirus. Here are the key indicators of a rodent problem:

1. Droppings: Small, dark, pellet-shaped droppings (1/8–1/4 inch for mice, larger for rats) appear along baseboards, in pantries, under sinks, or behind appliances. Fresh droppings are shiny; older ones are dry and gray.

2. Gnaw Marks: Rodents chew on food packaging, furniture, drywall, or electrical wiring. Look for tiny bite marks or shredded edges, especially in kitchens or storage areas.

3. Scratching or Scurrying Noises: Rodents are nocturnal, so you may hear scratching, scampering, or squeaking in walls, ceilings, or attics at night.

4. Nesting Materials: Mice and rats create nests from shredded paper, fabric, insulation, or cotton. Check corners, cabinets, or behind furniture for these cozy hideouts.

5. Unusual Pet Behavior: Cats or dogs may paw at walls, stare at specific spots, or act agitated where rodents are active.

6. Grease Marks: Rats leave oily smudges along walls or baseboards as they travel consistent routes. These marks are often subtle but visible in high-traffic areas.

7. Burrows or Runways: Outdoors, look for small burrows near foundations or worn paths in grass where rodents travel. Indoors, check for dust-free trails along walls.

8. Foul Odors: A musky smell in enclosed spaces, like closets or crawlspaces, may indicate a large or long-term rodent presence.

Prize Pest Control’s Rodent Solutions

Rodents can multiply quickly, turning a minor issue into a major infestation. Prize Pest Control’s rodent management plans are designed to eliminate invaders and prevent their return:

• Comprehensive Inspections: Our technicians identify entry points, nesting sites, and attractants, using tools like UV tracking to trace rodent activity.

• Humane Removal: We use snap traps, bait stations, and exclusion techniques to remove rodents safely and efficiently, minimizing disruption to your home.

• Exclusion Services: We seal gaps around doors, pipes, and vents with rodent-proof materials like steel wool or caulk, ensuring no re-entry.

• Sanitation Guidance: We advise on proper food storage and waste management to reduce attractants, such as securing trash bins and cleaning crumbs promptly.

• Preventative Plans: Our year-round rodent control programs include regular inspections and treatments, tailored to Keller’s seasonal pest patterns.

• Health and Safety Focus: We prioritize pet-safe and eco-friendly methods, protecting your family while addressing rodent-related health risks.

Prize Pest Control’s rodent solutions go beyond removal, focusing on long-term prevention to keep your Keller home secure.