The word itself strikes fear in any homeowner—termites! The very thought that they could be slowly eating away at their investment is enough to turn any home owner’s stomach.
Anyone who owns a home needs to educate themselves on the signs of termites. Termites typically come out of their colonies in the spring in what is referred to as a swarm. They are searching for new mates and new locations to build their nests during this time.
What are the signs of termites?
To aid in determining if you may have a termite problem, you will need to look for:
- Droppings
- As the termites consume the structure’s wood, they will digest it and then push it out of the colony so that it does not build up. Drywood termite droppings are the only type that is visible to the human eye. Their droppings resemble wood dust or shavings. Other types of termites put their droppings to use in constructing their mud tunnels.
- Tubes made from mud
- Mud tubes appear as narrow veins that will run from the ground up the side of your home’s foundation. They will most often run in the direction of exposed wood. Termites build and use mud tubes to prevent their exoskeletons from the dryness of the air since they need a humid environment to exist. Using these mud tubes, the termites can travel from their colony to their food source and then back again.
- Wings that they have discarded after swarming
- The most obvious sign that you could possibly have a termite infestation is the presence of the discarded wings of swarmers. Like most all species of insects, termites have a caste system that they live by. The system consists of the workers, the soldiers, and the swarmers. The swarmers are the colony’s reproductive members. Swarmers have two pairs of wings, and once they leave the colony and successfully find a mate, they will shed these wings. Finding these wings is confirmation of a termite infestation.
- Any damage visible under wallpaper or paint
- While feeding on your walls, termites will build tunnels along with tiny pinholes (called exit holes.) If you notice an unusual appearance on your wall or your wallpaper, it may be an early indication of termites. Instances of what to look for include:
- Pinholes
- Paint that has bubbled
- Wallpaper that is discolored or peeling
- Wood that is buckling
- Winding lines that are recessed and narrow
- Any stuck windows or doors
- While feeding on your walls, termites will build tunnels along with tiny pinholes (called exit holes.) If you notice an unusual appearance on your wall or your wallpaper, it may be an early indication of termites. Instances of what to look for include:
If you find that you have a window or a door that only recently became hard to open or stuck, it could be an early warning that you are experiencing an infestation. Other signs include deteriorating baseboards and sagging ceilings and floors.
Knowing the signs and what to look for when determining the possibility of a termite infestation is the first and most crucial step. Once you have confirmed their presence, you will need to contact a local pest control service to handle the situation.
AANTEX Pest Control offers a variety of free inspections and services to the entire Bay Area. 1-800-471-5555
