Termites feed on cellulose found in wood. To dissect the cellulose, these household pests feed your home’s wooden structures as their meal source. Undetected, termites can significantly damage a home in a matter of months, leading to thousands of dollars in repairs and damages. Homeowners can beat termites at their own game and prevent damage to their homes if they act fast and implement an effective pest control strategy. There are signs your house might have a termite problem, but you need to know what they are.
Termites can live inside your home undetected for months or even years and infest your home in swarms, often with thousands of termites in a single colony. Your home may sustain thousands of dollars in damages if you don’t spot the early signs of a termite infestation. Unlike other pests, termites aren’t easy to detect, as they burrow deep underground to seek refuge in dark, moist areas. Because they’re difficult to catch in the act, paying attention to possible termite infestation signs is vital.
If you notice any of the signs below, your home may be suffering from a termite problem. Don’t hesitate to call a professional like Moxie Pest Control if you spot any of these visible traces of infestation, so they can treat the problem immediately and prevent any more damage.
Wood Damage – One of the Most Obvious Signs Your House Might Have a Termite Problem
Termites bite, chew, and otherwise destroy wood on the exterior of your home. Termites sometimes infiltrate your living spaces where they can damage furniture and snack on any type of wood they find. A great way to test if termites are present is to knock on your porch pillars or other solid wood surfaces. If it sounds hollow inside, termites might be munching on these wooden structures.
Spotting the termite itself
The easiest way to identify a termite infestation is by physically spotting a crawling termite on your wooden surfaces. These occurrences are rare, as termites like to conceal themselves during the day and wander out at night for short periods. Unbeknownst to most homeowners, sunlight can kill a termite. On the off chance that a termite makes its way outside during the day, you’ll likely spot them near windows or doors or other moist areas of the home.
Mud tubes
Termites design mud tubes that help them travel underground from their food source to their nest without being spotted by homeowners or other predators. You’ll find mud tubes located near the ground, often used by subterranean termites.
Discarded wings
Discarded wings, also known as swarmers, are much easier to catch, as they’re known to emerge from their nests to mate in the springtime. In addition, discarded wings indicate that termites have been in the area and likely are still around if you haven’t adequately addressed your current termite infestation.
Termite excrement
Termite excrement resembles small piles of sawdust or salt and pepper. These household pests often leave their waste behind near its food sources to make room for more cellulose. If you notice any traces of excrement, it may be time to contact your pest control provider.
Damaged wood
Crumbling or damaged walls commonly indicate the presence of termites in a home. If you’re suffering from a termite infestation, you may notice the floorboards in the house are loose or squeaky, as well. These issues occur because termites introduce extra moisture, which can disintegrate these wooden structures.
Holes in drywall/drooping or discolored drywall
Notice small pinholes in your drywall? You’re probably wondering what’s the culprit, but unfortunately, the answer isn’t always obvious—especially if you’re not an exterminator. The cause of these holes in your drywall is often termites. When termites bite their way through the wood on your home, they’ll often damage your drywall. Notice that your drywall is discolored or drooping? These signs also suggest the presence of termites, as these pinholes left in their wake allow unwanted moisture to seep into the drywall.
Water damage
If your walls or ceiling appear to have water damage, this can result from plumbing-system-related problems. These patches of moisture and discoloration can also signal a possible termite infestation, as well. If water damage accompanies peeling paint or bulging walls, it’s almost a guarantee that termites are the instigators.
Problems With Windows/Doors
Windows and doors that stick when you try to open or close are the results of termite-related damage to your home’s wooden structures. This frustrating problem can be one of the first signs of a termite infestation. To combat these household pests immediately, don’t overlook this inconvenience.
Sagging floors – One of the Obvious Signs Your House Might Have a Termite Problem
Another problem that could indicate either plumbing troubles or a termites infestation is sagging floors. Wood floorboards often buckle while tile or laminate floors sag. The best way to determine whether plumbing malfunction or termites caused this problem is via a professional inspection.
Final thoughts
Schedule professional termite treatment services if the above signs appear in your home. An exterminator will first inspect the home for termites using specialized tools that allow this termite expert to peer deep within the home structure, where these household pests flourish. He can then treat the termites at the source, eliminating the infestation. These trained professionals will repair current damage while mitigating any future damage.