Signs of Termites Infestation

Termite infestations can lead to heavy maintenance cost, including removal of infested woodwork and installation of new wooden frames for doors and windows. It can severely compromise the structural integrity of a home or commercial building. All this can happen without the resident even knowing what’s happening. It’s critical to have a basic idea of the initial signs of a termites infestation in your residence or office building. Also, it is recommended to get a termite inspection done by a licensed ‘pest control service‘ if you come across the following signs of infestation. Here are the top five signs of termite infestation to look out for in your home.

As discussed on our ‘Pest Control FAQs‘ page, swarmers are reproductive young female and male winged termites, which emerge at the start of springtime to mate and search for a new location to start a colony, which typically includes our homes. This phenomenon is essential for the survival of termites. Termites swarm only if the colony reaches a certain size. This mostly happens once every year. If you see termite swarms, that is a clear indication there is a fully developed colony near or inside your house.

The timing of swarming varies by each termite type. Subterranean termites often swarm in spring, during daylight. Drywood termites swarm in late summers. However, drywood termite nests are often small and residents may visually miss the swarming phenomenon. However, a clear sign of termites indication are discarded wings. Dampwood termite also swarm in the summer. However, these termites are not much harmful to buildings and furniture. As such, termite swarmers, or their discarded wings near windowsills and doors, are often the first (and only outwardly visible) sign of a termite problem. Be sure to call Safe Havens Termite & Pest Control Services if you witness any of the discussed indications.

Mud tubes are the common mode by which subterranean termites travel through exposed terrain and they are one of the most prominent signs of termites in the building. These tubes are made of mud, or in some cases termite droppings, and they indicate the presence of termites in or below the vicinity. Termites can travel through these tubes unseen, thus providing a safe passage from predators. Moreover, subterranean termites, the most destructive termite species, build mud tubes that also provide moisture while they travel between their colony and food source. You can find mud tubes most often near the home’s foundation and they lead up walls, window frames, door frames etc.

Additionally, subterranean termites also use the crevices found within brick walls to build their mud tubes. Sometimes they emerge from walls, where they check for wood, and return if nothing is found. In cases of heavy infestations, these mud tubes are also found behind electric sockets and cabinets.

Rotten wood should never be ignored. In fact, minor visual wood damage can be the face of a deeper problem in the background. For example, damage due to termites can hamper the structural integrity of your home. Moreover, termites target wood, which contains almost 40% – 50% Cellulose. Therefore, you should keep an eye out for digested wood residues (a powder like substance), feces and eggs for signs of termites.

Additionally, termites tend to eat wood from the inside out, so wood that sounds hollow when tapped often signifies a termite infestation. Hence, homeowners should also look for blistering pieces of wood. However, some homeowners discover a serious termite problem only when their finger goes through a door frame. Thus, only termite treated wood should be installed at the time of construction of the building.

Uneven or bubbling paint is often a sign of moisture build up, which could mean one of two things – water damage or termites. For instance, damage under the wood floor can illustrate a leaked water pipe. Similarly, termite infestation have a similar outlook. This is because the bubbling is often due to termites travel behind the paint through mud tubes and leaving behind moisture. Therefore, in any case, whether it is termites or water, it’s recommended to call a licensed pest control service like Safe Havens Enterprises in this case, in order to identify the problem and take remedial actions.