How to Know If Your House Is Infested With Termites

Homeowners should be concerned about the potential destruction that can be caused by termites in and within their homes. Termites are considered as the topmost risk to wood-based structures followed by fire, flood, and wind. Unfortunately, these social insects are difficult to be noticed until they cause a major effect on structures. At that level, it becomes easy to see them penetrating in affected areas. Hence you need to seek guidance for termites control from a preferred pest manager soonest possible particularly if there has been no former termite activity within your home.

However, before this takes place, below are 8 ways through which you can determine the infestation of termites in your house:

1. Tunnel and Mud Leads

If you see mud tunnels aligned on the outer part of house structures like walls, concrete slabs, concrete posts, brickwork, among other structural materials, it is a strong sign of the building being at danger of termite infestation. Normally termites travel via these mud tunnels when they cannot burrow through objects in search of water and food. You can also search for small tunnels called leads that are made of mud outside your house, especially on top of concrete, brickwork or dense structural materials.

2. Aborial Nests

These are termites’ nests and are normally found in trees. It is not usual for non-dangerous species of termites to make these although there is normally the risk that they are the kind of termites that feed on timber-housing structures.

3. Swarmers

Swarming reproductive near indoor light or window sills is one of the first signs homeowners can notice. If swarmers are found inside the house, it is a strong sign that your house is infected by termites. It can also be a warning that termites are around your compound and possibly attacking a close building. Swarmers are reproductive termites that take flight to other new colonies and normally swarm in spring where drywood swarms are not easily predictable. If you notice any groups of discarded wings or swarm of insects, you should call a termite specialist for inspection and termites control.

4. Wings

Presence of wings that are discarded by swarmers is another indication of terminates presence which is part of their behavior. You can find wings near window sills, emergence sites or cobwebs. Another sign of termites’ infection is presence of shelter tubes built on utility entrances, sides of piers or foundation walls.

5. Damaged wood

Damage of wood is a good indication of termite infestation. Wood that is infected by termites portray a dull and thudding sound if struck by a hammer or hard object and ought to be examined. Termites prefer residing in dark and humid environments but don’t typically feed on wood surfaces where people can see them. Sometimes wood surfaces appear smooth even when termites have inflicted the damage. The wood sounds hollow because termites eat it from inside.

6. Distorted or Cracked Paint on Wood surfaces

This is caused by swarming drywood termites that go through openings that are smaller than dime edge. Hence you need to monitor and seal all cracks in your house’s foundation and near vents, siding and windows.

7. Mud tubes on outside walls

Termites construct mud tubes on surfaces like home’s foundation to get moisture while seeking for food. You can create unfavorable environment by keeping away firewood, wood chips and firewood from the house to avoid forming moisture-rich habitats that termites can survive and thrive into.

8. Frass

Termites can generate wood-colored droppings referred as frass after feeding on infested wood. You can keep downspouts, gutters, and crawl spaces that are free of debris or cellulose materials to ensure there are no food sources for termites.

Investing of suspected areas with a sharp-pointed instrument like a screw driver was the old fashioned technique of termites control that was used to disclose their galleries or damage. However, the method is tedious and slow which also causes damage to a building structure and subsequent repairs. Termites are a great danger to your biggest investment; your home. Thus if you suspect the insects activity, you should contact a licensed pest management company to carry out an inspection for you. A termite specialist will recommend a prevention plan or a customized treatment that entails wood treatments, liquid repellants, baits and if vital fumigation of your whole building.