Telltale Signs of Termite Infestation to Be Aware Of
For many homeowners, particularly those with homes that contain a great quantity of wood, termites are one of the more significant pest concerns. These wood-destroying pests can nest in both indoor and outdoor walls, damaging your wood foundation and even threatening the structural integrity of the home in certain cases.
At Bug Busters, we provide high-quality pest control services that include numerous potential pests, including termite extermination. Luckily for those homeowners who are impacted by termites, these pests tend to leave behind a few telltale signs of their presence – here’s a quick primer on these signs and what to look out for if you fear you have a termite infestation.
Wood Sounds
As you likely know, the main food source for termites is wood. This means they’ll spend most or all of their time in wooded areas.
And even though it’s rare to physically see termites unless their infestation is particularly severe, there are other ways to find out if they’re impacting your wood. One is to knock on wood surfaces you know should be solid – if you hear a hollow sound instead, this is a potential sign that termites have invaded. Check other areas like support beams, and/or call our team to investigate further.
Mud Tubes
Termites tend to live underground, particularly in the winter, but they’ll come out to try and get to their food source. But they can’t get too warm when they come into your home looking for wood, and they keep cool by using mud tubes that keep them cool and dry while they travel in search of food.
These mud tubes are often some of the first signs of their infestation. They can be found on the outside of the home right near the foundation of your home, where it connects to the ground beneath it. They may also be found near entryways like doors or windows.
Peeling Paint
Termites tend to bring in water with them when they travel from their colony underground to their wood food sources. In some cases, this creates a moisture buildup underneath your wood, and you might notice peeling paint that almost appears like water damage. If you’ve checked to confirm that no such water damage has taken place, there’s a good chance this issue is due to termites – and if the paint starts to bubble, this is another clear sign.
Swarming or Wing Discarding
One termite sign that’s usually only visible in spring, but is still worth mentioning here, is swarming. After spring rains, termites may swarm, at which time you’ll notice small winged insects near your light fixtures. These are some of the only times where you will visibly notice termites – and once they’re done swarming, they’ll begin losing their wings. If you notice such wings around your windows or in cobwebs, termites could be nesting in the home.
For more on the signs that termites are infesting your home, or to learn about any of our residential or commercial pest control services, speak to the staff at Bug Busters today.