Termites are an incredibly destructive pest that can cause damage to your property that is difficult and expensive to repair. It’s best to deal with termite infestations as quickly as possible after discovery. The following are the top 10 signs of a termite infestation.
Look Out for These Signs
Termites are notoriously difficult to detect, so being aware of all of the common ways that you can find them will make it easier for you to find them.
- Droppings – Termites leave behind small wood-like pellets when they’re eating through the wood in your home. If you find small piles of these droppings, it could be a clear sign of a termite infestation.
- Wings – Termites shed their wings after mating, so you could find discarded wings laying around in your home. This is the most common way that homeowners discover a termite infestation.
- Hollowed out wood – If you tap on wood within your home and you can hear that the wood is hollow, termites could have already eaten through this. Tap on the wood in different areas of your home to find any hollow wood.
- Tunnels – Termites dig tunnels as they eat through wood, however, these can be difficult to spot. Look for any broken shards of wood within your home.
- Warped wood – Termites release moisture as they eat wood, and this excess moisture can cause wood within your home to warp.
- Water damage to drywall – The eating patterns of termites can cause the drywall in your home to have the appearance of water damage.
- Swarmers – Swarmers are the termites that are responsible for mating in order to build up a new colony. These termites will swarm and can be identified by their wings.
- Clicking – Termites make noises while eating, and they can be heard if you listen closely. Putting your ear up to the wall and hearing clicking sounds is a signal that you may need an inspection.
- Mud tubes – Termites will use the wood that they consume in combination with fecal matter and saliva to create tubes that extend from the ground to the wood in your home.
- Look at their color – Termites are commonly mistaken for a white species of ants due to having a similar body type and size. Termite’s double set of wings and straightened antenna are the main features that you can use to differentiate them from white ants.
Contact Bug Man Exterminating
If you live in Southwest Virginia and you suspect that your home is infested with termites, contact Bug Man Exterminating. We will provide you with a free estimate and inspection for both residential and commercial issues. Give us a call at (540) 252-0126 or visit our website at http://www.bugmanext.com/.