Termites: the army that marches in silence! Often, once you’ve discovered them: It may too late. So it’s important to know what you’re looking for and how to protect your property before you are quite literally eaten out of house and home!
There are many factors to how an infestation manifests itself, so it’s important to stay on top of any subtle clues that you may not be alone.
So, here are the 7 most common signs you have termites.
Mud Tubes
Termites require a humid environment to survive, so they often create mud-filled tunnels to travel to their food source. This can often appear as pencil-sized mud tubes on the surface of your house’s walls.
These tubes typically appear around the foundation level of your property, but well-established infestations can go all the way up the walls!
Swarms
Winged termites, or swarmers, look a lot like flying ants, so be careful not to make that assumption.
These types of termites usually appear when a new termite colony is being established. The could potentially be a sign that an infestation has begun and may warrant more investigation.
A pest control company like Reynolds Pest Control can offer worried homeowners an investigation.
Discarded Wings
In connection with the previous termite problem: once a colony has been made, swarmers shed their wings in celebration. This can result in the appearance of tiny wings all over your house.
Keep an eye out for them, it could mean that termites have “signed the lease”!
Wood Behaving Strangely
Keep a good eye on the condition of the wood and surfaces of your property. A variety of unusual behavior, like bubbling paint or tight-fitting doors or windows, could seem like dampness issues, but it could also be signs of termites.
Also, listen to your wood. If your wood sounds hollow or papery, this could be a sign that termites have formed a gallery on the inside. Give the wood in your home a little knock here and there to inspect.
Frass
Frass is another word for termite droppings. As termites consume wood, they eventually leave behind frass. This substance looks a lot like mounds of sawdust around your house.
If you live in an area where termites can be an issue, perform regular inspections for frass, especially in parts of the house that are uninhabited like attics.
Clicking Sounds in the Wall
A clicking sound coming from within the walls could be down to the soldier termites banging their head on the wood or shaking their body. This is to communicate danger to other termites.
Another thing to keep in mind is that termites have a crunchy diet. So, you may hear them chomping inside the walls. Put your ear to the wall and try to follow the sounds.
Outdoor Issues
While the building itself might not be displaying termite signs, that does not necessarily put your property in the clear. An inspection of your outdoor environment may save you from an internal infestation.
A close look at whether the trees in your backyard have small holes, hollow shapes or some of the above-mentioned signs of termites will help catch them before it’s too late.
Signs You Have Termites: A Reminder
Just because you can’t see them, doesn’t mean that they are not there.
So if you live in an area where termites are a reality, never get overconfident! The wisest course would be to get a professional inspection at least once a year, even if there are no signs you have termites!
Often, the smallest sign may point to a devastating infestation, so avoid resorting to inspections only when the symptoms occur. When it comes to this silent army, prevention is always better than the cure!
For more practical articles like this one, keep browsing our site.
