If you live in a home built with wood or have lots of wooden furniture – it’s essential to know how to spot the signs of termite infestation. While many homeowners are lucky not to have ever dealt with the issue, others have unfortunately been through it. Infested homes can be especially devastating for owners who don’t realize they’re infested until it’s too late, warns Peak Residential Property Management.
Dealing with damage caused by termites can be costly. That’s why looking for signs your house might be showing is mandatory. Some of the most common ones are the following –
1. Have you noticed Swarmers (flying termites) in your home?
Swarmers are winged termites that emerge from the colony. In a swarm, they fly off, searching for other places to build a new nest.
These winged insects do not bite, sting, or eat wood. However, they can be an indication of an infestation. So if you see swarmers in your home or business, it’s time to take action before they reproduce and cause more damage.
2. Keep an eye out for Frass or termite droppings.
Frass or termite droppings are another sign of an active infestation.
Frass is a termite’s fecal matter and can be found around window sills, in the corners of rooms, or in the attic. It looks like little pellets or sawdust that accumulate over time.
You may also notice frass on your window frames, picture frames, and baseboards near where you’ve detected activity (you can use these areas to check for frass before an inspection).
3. Mud tubes near the foundation of your home.
Termite mud tubes are built to connect the termite colony with the soil. Workers and soldiers construct these narrow, half-inch-wide tubes. Any time you see these tubes on your home’s foundation, it’s likely that your house is infested with subterranean termites.
4. Damaged and hollow-sounding wood.
You may have heard that hollow-sounding wood is a potential sign of termite activity. While this is true, it’s important to note that wood rot can be confused with hollow-sounding wood.
Wood rot occurs when moisture gets into the timber and causes it to decay over time. The result is soft, spongy, or chalky-looking areas that are often brownish and can feel damp.
If you spot this damage, carefully inspect the damaged area for signs of mold or mildew growth. Only if you find hollow-sounding wood or wood with tunnels – can you be sure of having a termite infestation.
How to act if your house is infested with termites?
Calling a professional pest control company is the best way to protect your home from a termite infestation.
Termites are difficult to spot, so it’s always best to get a second opinion on whether or not you have an infestation. In some cases, homeowners may opt for DIY methods of treating their homes, but this can result in harm or death due to improper use of pesticides or insecticides – toxic enough to kill humans or pets.
Final Thoughts
Inspecting your home for a possible infestation is always the best way to minimize damage caused by termites.
So, if you think your house is infested with termites, don’t wait for them to damage your home more than it already has. Instead, schedule a professional inspector to conduct a detailed review of your home, after which a pest control team can eradicate the issue.