Termites, by nature, rarely come into the open and most of the indications of a termite problem are hidden or difficult to see to the casual observer. Although, it is best to have a trained professional inspect your home for termite infestations, there are some things that the typical homeowner may see that would let them know if there is an existing termite infestation in their home.

Signs of a Termite Infestation

• Dead termites on widow sills, around doors or on or near furniture. This is the most common way homeowners find out they have termites.
• Mud tunnels on exterior foundation walls. These are about the diameter of a pencil and are found around the foundation of the house or in the garage.
• Termite Damage. Sometimes homeowners accidentally discover damage by bumping into a damaged baseboard or wooden post and the wood cracks, exposing the termite damage.

Massey Services provides Free Termite Inspections and recommends that homeowners get an inspection at least once every year.

Did you buy a new home? A pre-owned home? You may not know this, but pre-construction termite treatments don’t last forever. And because termites thrive in the Southeast, all homes are susceptible – and damage is not covered by Homeowners Insurance. Ultimately, the cost of termite protection is probably a fraction of what it would take to repair damage caused by termites.If you’re not sure what kind of termite coverage you have, it’s a good idea to contact the company that provided the initial treatment on your home and get a copy of your termite coverage. Most of the time termite companies place a sticker on your water heater or inside the breaker box that will have their contact information. If you can’t identify the company that provided the initial treatment, it’s a good idea to call a qualified professional to get a termite inspection.

Massey Services has been in the business of protecting homes from termites for more than 75 years and we currently provide service to over 180,000 satisfied customers throughout the Southeast. Contact Massey Services for your free, thorough termite inspection today.

Because termites need water to survive, excess water near the house can encourage termite activity. Here are a few common moisture issues:

• Inadequate property grade. Ideally, your home should sit on a small “hill” as opposed to in a “bowl.” If the finished property grade drains towards the foundation, water from rainstorms or sprinklers can accumulate next to your house and can create moisture conditions which can lead to termite infestation, as well as wood-decay. What to do: You may need to modify the physical grade of your property in order to drain excess water away from the structure.
• Lawn sprinklers spraying walls. If water from sprinklers regularly contacts the walls of your house, you are providing enough moisture for termites to survive within the walls. Spraying the walls can also lead to wood-decay. What to do: Adjust your irrigation heads to keep them from hitting the house.Check your irrigation system frequently for proper coverage.
• Lack of rain gutters. Rain gutters serve to divert water runoff from the roof away from your house. Without them, excess water can accumulate around your foundation, which may create a build up of moisture, a condition that attracts termites. What to do: Make sure gutters drain water away from your home. Make sure that water is drained no less than 3 feet from your foundation.If you have overhangs or eaves, make sure they are long enough to keep water runoff away from the exterior walls.

Check our Termite Home Maintenance Tips area for more information.

Because termites need water to survive, excess water near the house can encourage termite activity. Here are a few common moisture issues:

• Inadequate property grade. Ideally, your home should sit on a small “hill” as opposed to in a “bowl.” If the finished property grade drains towards the foundation, water from rainstorms or sprinklers can accumulate next to your house and can create moisture conditions which can lead to termite infestation, as well as wood-decay. What to do: You may need to modify the physical grade of your property in order to drain excess water away from the structure.
• Lawn sprinklers spraying walls. If water from sprinklers regularly contacts the walls of your house, you are providing enough moisture for termites to survive within the walls. Spraying the walls can also lead to wood-decay. What to do: Adjust your irrigation heads to keep them from hitting the house.Check your irrigation system frequently for proper coverage.
• Lack of rain gutters. Rain gutters serve to divert water runoff from the roof away from your house. Without them, excess water can accumulate around your foundation, which may create a build up of moisture, a condition that attracts termites. What to do: Make sure gutters drain water away from your home. Make sure that water is drained no less than 3 feet from your foundation.If you have overhangs or eaves, make sure they are long enough to keep water runoff away from the exterior walls.

Check our Termite Home Maintenance Tips area for more information.

Termites cause more damage to homes and businesses each year than all the fires, floods, and natural disasters combined.  Termites are found throughout the U.S. but are more densely populated in the Southeast. In fact, up to six colonies can thrive in a single acre plot, with each colony containing thousands or even millions of termites.

You should also realize that termites can get into any home or business structure, including brick, block and stucco. They enter through tiny cracks and crevices in the foundation, eaves and walls in, under and around your home. These cracks don’t have to be huge holes or gaps – termites can get through hairline cracks no wider than 1/64 of an inch!

With so much potential for damage, it’s important to have a termite inspection every year. If you haven’t already, contact Massey Servicesfor your free, detailed termite inspection today.

Due to ongoing drought conditions over the past few years, termites haven’t been swarming like they traditionally would. The danger with not seeing swarms is that termites are still very active – just not in sight.They’re moving, eating and reproducing underground, often right under or around your home.  In fact, they never take a break, making them a year-round threat. Termites silently get into your home through tiny cracks and crevices in, under, over and around your home. Because Termites are largely undetectable until damage is done, we recommend a termite inspection at least once a year.  Contact Massey Services for your free, thorough termite inspection today.

Termites don’t distinguish between residential homes and commercial businesses. They forage, eat and multiply – 24/7. Because they live underground, there’s a good chance they can find a way into your business without you even knowing it. That’s because they get in through tiny cracks,in, under and around your building’s structure. So it doesn’t matter what your building is made from – concrete, brick or stucco. Remember, termites get in through the cracks – and every building has cracks. That’s why it makes sense to get your business inspected for termites at least once a year. Think of it as your security system against termites. Contact Massey Services for your free, thorough termite inspection today.

Due to ongoing drought conditions over the past few years, termites haven’t been swarming like they traditionally would. The danger with not seeing swarms is that termites are still very active – just not in sight.They’re moving, eating and reproducing underground, often right under or around your home.  In fact, they never take a break, making them a year-round threat. Termites silently get into your home through tiny cracks and crevices in, under, over and around your home. Because Termites are largely undetectable until damage is done, we recommend a termite inspection at least once a year.  Contact Massey Services for your free, thorough termite inspection today.

Termites don’t distinguish between residential homes and commercial businesses. They forage, eat and multiply – 24/7. Because they live underground, there’s a good chance they can find a way into your business without you even knowing it. That’s because they get in through tiny cracks,in, under and around your building’s structure. So it doesn’t matter what your building is made from – concrete, brick or stucco. Remember, termites get in through the cracks – and every building has cracks. That’s why it makes sense to get your business inspected for termites at least once a year. Think of it as your security system against termites. Contact Massey Services for your free, thorough termite inspection today.

For most people, termite swarms are the obvious signs of infestation. However, because of drought conditions, termites haven’t swarmed as much in recent years. This doesn’t mean they’re not getting into your home – it just means you have to look a little harder for signs that they’represent.

Here is a quick list of small, but important signs of termites:

Termite wings.These are often found after a swarm and are typically found in small piles near windows or other light sources

Shelter tubes.Made of particles of soil, wood and debris, these allow subterranean termites to move out of the ground to outside entryways.

Bathroom signs. Many infestations found in a home are found in bathrooms. Signs include loose tiles,soil particles, exit holes [small pinholes] and cracked grout.

Small holes in wood or drywall or blistered paint. When termites damage wood within your home,they often create holes in the drywall. Because termites eat wood from the inside out, they usually hollow the wood along the grain. This can cause ripples in the exterior of the wood itself, or cause the paint to blister.

Damaged wood.This can include wood that sounds “hollow” when it is tapped with the handle of a screwdriver, wood that is soft when probed with a sharp object or a thin gritty gray-brown film on the surface of damaged wood.

Of course, the key is to not wait for any signs. You should have a termite inspection by a termite professional at least once a year. ContactMassey Services for your free, thorough termite inspection today.