How To Spot a Termite Infestation

Termite infestations are often difficult for homeowners to detect because they feed and travel inside the walls of your home, which means you can’t see them!  Here are a few signs you can look for to spot a termite infestation in your home:

• Winged Termites –  termites swarm into the home through a tiny hole in the wall. These termites will fly toward a light source, like a window or sliding glass door. If you find dead termites or just their wings near window sills or sliding glass doors, it is an indication of an active infestation in your home.
• Small holes or tiny spots of dirt on a wall or baseboard – as mentioned earlier, swarming termites enter into your home through small holes in the wall. These “exit holes” can be either packed with dirt or left open.
• Mud tunnels – Subterranean termites will build tunnels out of soil to safely travel to food sources above the ground. These tunnels  are about the size of a pencil and are most often found outside on the foundation of your home. However, it isn’t uncommon to find them inside the house and garage, as well.

• Damaged wood – termites will eat all of the wood behind a wall and leave just the paint that covers the area! Lightly tapping wood surfaces that appear undamaged with the handle of a screwdriver may lead to the discovery of damaged wood behind painted surfaces.
• Pellets – Drywood termites push tiny pellets out of small holes in the wood they are living in. The pellets accumulate in small piles under the areas where they are feeding.

If you think you have a termite infestation, or want to learn more about Massey’s Termite Control, CLICK HERE TO SCHEDULE A FREE TERMITE INSPECTION PERFORMED BY ONE OF OUR EXPERTS!