Signs of Termites
Termites can cause some pretty serious damage in your home, but they can go undetected for quite a bit. Have you been noticing small holes in your walls, wood that sounds hollow or peeling paint that looks a lot like water damage? It may be time to do some investigation into the interior of your walls to see if termites are poking around.
Different Types of Termites
There are a few different termites to keep an eye out for, including drywood termites and subterranean termites. The drywood variety can be found very deep in wood structures, such as the frame of your home. Subterranean termites are frequently found under the ground. Both are tricky to spot, but knowing what to look for can help.
Dropped Wings
Termites will leave their nest to start new colonies as they grow. They aren’t going far, so they’re probably still in your home. After they leave, they shed their wings. Look for these wings on your windowsills, around the foundation, or on the floor.
Small Holes
If you have a variety of termite that likes to burrow deep within the walls of your home, you may find some small holes in your drywall. This is a way for the termites to come and go. These holes can be pretty small, so you’ll have to really be looking to find them. They can be as small as the head of a pin.
Squeaky Floorboards
If your floors have always squeaked, then you probably don’t have to worry about a sudden infestation of termites. If there are a number of spots in your home that all of a sudden start squeaking, there could be damage to your home that’s caused by termites.
You may find random sawdust or wood shavings downstairs underneath the floors. Also, be on the lookout for hollow boards or walls.
Mud Tubes
The subterranean version of the termite will create mud tubes as a way to build their nests, homes, and a tunnel system for their colonies. You may find these tubes on your foundation (inside or out) and they’re made from wood shavings, dirt and debris.
Termites in Your Yard
If you know that your area is prone to termite swarms, you should always be on high alert. A termite or two in the yard doesn’t mean there’s anything living in your home, but you know that you need to be on high alert.
You can take preventive actions towards keeping them out of your house. Seal up cracks and gaps in windows, doors and the foundation. Termites are most active in the early hours of the morning and the afternoon. They are most commonly found in the southern states that are very warm.
Termite Fecal Matter
Termites consume wood, and they leave behind a large amount of droppings as their waste matter. Finding this fecal matter in your home is a good indication that there’s something serious going on. That waste could be from the structure of your home.
If you’re concerned that you’ve spotted some signs of termites, they may be living in your home. It’s a good idea to have the problem addressed immediately. It doesn’t take long for a colony of termites to reproduce multiple times.
They can quickly cause permanent damage to the structure of your home that will be hard to repair. A professional pest control company can help you get things under control in a timely manner.
Sources:
https://www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/termites-how-identify-and-control-them
https://www.thoughtco.com/fascinating-facts-about-termites-1968587
