Termites can be extremely damaging to your home so it’s important that you looks for signs of termite infestations before they have the chance to eat you out of house and home. By the time many homeowners discover that they have a termite problem, they have already severely suffered severe damage. The earlier you can detect these nasty insects, the less painful it is to treat the problem.
Prevention is the absolute best method of ensuring that termites do not become a problem. I wrote a post that shares some amazing landscaping tips that will help prevent termites.
With the said, here are some signs that you can use to spot a potential termite infestation.
Winged Termites
Seeing winged termites near your home is a sure sign that there is a colony nearby – likely eating away at some obscure part of your home. Winged termites are similar to ants in that they will swarm to the nearest light source. They also look quite similar so they are tough to distinguish. So if you see any insects resembling these insects, you should thoroughly inspect your home for other signs of termites.
Piles of Discarded Wings
Termites keep their wings for a very short period of time and then they will shed them once they have found a new place to build their nest. If you notice piles of wings that have been discarded, then that’s a sign that you have termites. You’ll find shed wings on window sills or around baseboards. If you find discarded wings, then you need to start addressing the infestation immediately.
Mud Tubes
Termites use mud tubes to transport their food back and forth from the source to their colony. These tunnels are built using soil and wood in order to protect the insects from their natural predators. If you find these tubes near your home, then you are probably dealing with an infestation. Mud tubes are usually found around the foundation of the home.
Termite Droppings
Termites will leave behind droppings as they are chewing their way through your home. They are pellet shaped and resemble heavy grains of sawdust. If you find small piles of these near your home, then chances are that you’re dealing with an infestation. You should tackle the problem immediately.
Check for Hollow Wood
One of the most devastating things about termites is that they will eat away at your home from the inside out. You won’t see visible signs of damage even if they are infested so if you suspect termites, then you should puncture or tap certain areas to see if the wood is hollow. By the time you spot visual signs of damage to wood, it will already be too late.
Swollen Wood
If you spot areas of your wooden baseboards that have become swollen, then you likely have termites eating away at your most prized possession. Termites love to build their nests in dark, moist areas. They add more moisture to the wood so it will swell when termites are present. Furthermore, you’ll be able to visually see paint start to bubble.
If you spot any signs of termite infestation, it’s essential that you address the problem immediately if you want to avoid severe damage to your home. Remember that our home is the biggest investment we make in our life so don’t let it get eaten away by termites.
