Know the Signs of Termites at Home to Catch an Infestation Early
Termites destroy wood and cellulose-based products around the home. They can cause thousands of dollars in damage and you may not know you even have a termite problem. When you know the signs of termites at home, you improve your chances of catching them before they cause extensive harm. Here are seven signs that can indicate a termite infestation.
1. Piles of Wings Are Signs of Termites at Home
Some types of termites swarm when the weather gets warmer. Swarms only occur when the colony is mature, so this is a concerning sign. Termites leave piles of discarded wings after swarming. If you see a pile of insect wings, often near window sills, you likely have termite activity on your property.
2. Hollow Wood
Termites bore holes into the wood of your home and eat it from the inside out. The damage isn’t usually visible until they reach the surface of the wood. If you knock on structural wood and it sounds and feels hollow, this is one of the signs of termites.
3. Clicking Sounds in the Walls
Put your ear to the wall. If you hear a clicking noise, you may have an active termite colony in that space. Termites bang their heads on the walls of their tunnels to communicate.
4. Wood Tunnels
As termites eat wood, they create tunnels known as galleries. They won’t be visible inside your home. However, look at pieces of wood that might be lying around your yard or garage. If you see wood with tunnels, you have termites in your home or very close by. Removing wood like firewood and tree trunks from around your home is one way to avoid attracting termites.
5. Termite Droppings are Signs of Termites at Home
Known as frass, termite droppings are a sure sign you have an infestation. Drywood termites, a common type found in homes, push frass out of small holes in the wood. If you find piles of tiny pellets, call a termite expert.
6. Mud Tubes
Subterranean termites build their colonies underground and travel into homes to find wood to eat. Termites build tunnels that allow them to gain access to the food source while staying protected from the elements. If you see mud tubes coming up the side of your foundation, this is a sign of termites.
7. Bubbling Paint
One of the visible signs of termites at home is bubbling paint. The termites will eat the wood underneath the paint, but won’t eat the paint itself. From the outside, the paint will start to warp and bubble. If you push at the paint, it will collapse and reveal the hollow space underneath.
If you notice any of these signs of termites at home, take action. Schedule an appointment with a pest inspector to pinpoint the area and extent of the infestation.
InspectorUSA provides wood-destroying organism inspections and pest control along with other home inspection services. Contact us to schedule an appointment.