MIDLAND, Texas — Treating termites is a part of homeownership that is less than picture perfect.
"We were having our kitchen cabinets replaced, and during the removal of the kitchen cabinets, that's when we found the termites," Devyn Daley, a Midland homeowner said. "They were under our pantry cabinet."
Daley and her husband found termites in their home last month.
Since then, they've been focused on damage control.
"It was actually a little gross because they look like little maggots," Daley said. "So it was like oh, we need to get these removed now. How can I remove them?"
And yes, even the Texas winter storm didn't keep these pesky bugs away from their dinner.
"As this house shows, they were inside a wall and it had been 9 degrees, 0 degrees outside, they're still active," John Hufford, owner of Hufford's Pest Control said.
Local pest control companies tell me it's the humidity and moisture that draws these West Texas subterranean termites to the surface and into homes, doing lots of damage.
"I've seen houses that the ceiling is falling in because the termites came, and they got in the walls and they ate the studs all the way up to the roof line," Hufford said.
Although pest control can treat for termites after they're already in your home, there are things you can do to prevent these wood-craving bugs from getting what they want most in the first place.
Check for water leaks inside your home and pay attention to anything that looks damp or irregular.
"Go out and turn your water meter, check it and turn everything off in the house and make sure the meter is not running," Hufford said.
Make sure water sprinklers aren't right up against the house.
Termites can't be transported through firewood because they need moisture. However, if you have firewood near your lawn, make sure it's away from the house and away from your sprinklers, as well as off the ground.