A termite infestation is a homeowner’s worst fear. These pests invade your homes and inflict extensive damage on your property. They are also called “silent invaders” because of the reason that their presence is not known unless they have already caused structural damage. They can go unnoticed for a long period.
If you have seen a single termite in your house, there may be a hundred more somewhere. Termites move in groups. One termite usually means there is a colony of thousands nearby. Recognizing the signs of termite damage is necessary to take prompt action. Call Green Pest Services today.
Signs of a termite infestation
- Swarmers or discarded wings.
After the cold season has gone and the spring comes, swarmers will emerge to mate. Swarmers are young females and winged males, looking for mating partners. They are also on the lookout for a new colony, a new place to live. Therefore, you will be able to see their discarded wings on various parts of your house, such as the windowsills.
- Blisters in wood flooring.
Your house could have termites if your wood flooring has buckling or blister spots. Subterranean termites can cause damage to your foundation, causing the wooden floor to have a wavy appearance or look discarded. The wood underneath the floor is softer, which is what termites prefer. Therefore, you might not be able to notice the problem until it has escalated.
- Mud tubes.
Mud tubes are among the most obvious and common signs of a termite infestation. Termites use soil and saliva to build tunnels, which serve as a protected pathway for the pests to travel. They get to their nests and food sources through these paths. Mud tubes are a clear sign of termite activity. To check for them, look at your home’s foundation, walls, or wooden beams.
- Hollowed out wood.
Termites will eat wood from the inside, which makes noticing their presence more difficult. If you tap on your wooden furniture and it sounds hollow, it could be a sign of termite infestation.
- Hard to open doors and windows.
Termites eat through the wood to search for cellulose. Therefore, they cause damage to doors and windows by causing them to warp or buckle. This makes opening, closing or generally moving your doors and windows more difficult. If your doors keep getting stuck all of a sudden, it is time to check for termites.
- Drywood termite droppings.
Drywood termites are easier to spot because of their habit of leaving behind significant signs of their presence, droppings. Also referred to as frass, these droppings are hexagonal-shaped and small. You may find them near wooden structures and furniture in your house. They have a distinctive look. Remember that cleaning the droppings is not a solution.
- Live termites were found during remodeling.
If you are remodeling your house, you could come across termites in the wood you are tearing out. It is important to remember that just because you are tearing up that wood, it won’t clear the infestation or cause the pests to go elsewhere. They can be found anywhere; in the soil, damaged wood, moist areas around your house, etc.
