Termites are a big deal. While most other pests are just that (pests), termites have the potential to cause some real damage to your home and cost you big money. Here’s some of the ways you can spot them moving in before they make themselves too “at home”.
You See Termites Swarming
When they mate, termites start to swarm in an effort to establish a new colony. If you notice a bunch of them and it looks like they are swarming, its likely that they hatched somewhere close. This is bad, since once they are finished with their reproductive cycle, they will go back to hunting for food. They look a bit like flying ants, so if possible, you might want to catch one to verify.
Mushy or Damaged Wood
Sadly, this likely means termites have already been snacking on your house. If you notice damaged wood, don’t wait: take a closer look. If the wood seems to disintegrate when you touch it, that’s a bad sign. Usually when termites have already caused this type of damage, you probably won’t be able to fix the infestation without some professional help and possibly repairs.
Mud Tubes Made by Subterranean Termites
Termites make tunnels in your walls called mud tubes, because they like to keep their tunnels damp. Check around the foundation on your house. If you see dirt tubes running from the ground to your house, this is a bad sign.
You can check to see if the tunnel is being used by breaking it and then checking on it again in a few days. If its rebuilt, then termites are using it to access your house. If it isn’t, that doesn’t mean that you don’t have termites… at best, it means you did. If you spot these, you’ll really want to give us a call to have us check it out.
Drywood Termite Frass
When drywood termites tunnel and eat through wood, they make a waste substance that has nowhere to go, so the termites spit it out of the closest hole. This substance looks a bit like sawdust. If you spot some, carefully check the surrounding area for the telltale holes that mean termites have been nearby.
As always, if you have questions about termites or just want someone to take a look, you can contact us and we will be happy to help!
