5 Signs You Have A Termite Infestation
Posted on: 17 January 2022
Termite damage lowers the value of a property. The damage starts from one part of your building and if left untreated, they move to other parts of the property and cause massive structural damage over time. So you should remove termites immediately you notice them. And since extermination can be an expensive and complicated affair, the best way to be on the top of the game is to identify an infestation early enough. Below are the most common indicators of a termite infestation in your home.
Mud Tubes
Mud tubes are probably one of the more visible signs of a termite infestation. The tunnels indicate a subterranean termite infestation. They use these tubes to connect their underground nest to a food source above ground. You can see them running from the building's foundation and to the rafters.
Galleries
Galleries are tunnels made by termites. They are difficult to detect as they are invisible from the outside. However, tunnels on broken timber around the home indicate a serious termite infestation. The best thing about working with professionals is that exterminators can use a borescope to locate these galleries.
Gnawing Noise
Worker ants are noisy eaters. You can hear them chewing through the wood because they make a sound resembling soft rain on a hard surface. Other sounds you can expect are hushed clicking sounds made by solider termites as they warn the termite colony of incoming danger or a disturbance.
Termite Droppings
Termite droppings or waste appear as a dark powdery substance in the infested area. It is more specific for areas infested by dry wood termites. The dry wood termite species pushes out frass from the nest and deposits it at the entrance to the nest. Subterranean termites deposit their droppings inside the infested wood, making it difficult to notice their presence.
Swarmers and Discarded Wings
Swarmers are winged termites you can spot coming out of the termite nest in swarms. They do so in search of a mate that might be near your home. Drywood termites fly off following a downpour at different times of the year. Some termite species you will observe swarming around a light source at night. Swarmers shed their wings after the flight. Their wings collect in piles around a suitable nest site shortly after finding a mate. It may be along your home's foundation or inside your property. The pair proceeds to create a new termite colony that can exist for many years.
Speak with an exterminator if you suspect that you might have termite damage on your property. Some signs may not be as apparent as others. A professional inspector armed with different sensors can provide a more accurate picture of the extent of the damage and resolve it.
Reach out to a local pest control professional for more information regarding termite treatment.
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