Warning Signs of Termites
There’s no such thing as a home that isn’t vulnerable to termites. It doesn’t matter if your home is made of brick, block, stucco or even built on a concrete slab. The truth is, termites can get into any home through tiny cracks and crevices less than 1/16 inches wide. To make matters worse, your home may be sitting on up to six subterranean termite colonies in a single acre plot, with each colony housing millions of termites.
Termites eat non-stop, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And most homeowners don’t realize they have a problem until the damage is already done.
There are some warning signs you can be on the lookout for if you suspect there may be a problem.
Warning Signs of Termites
- Termite Wings: Often present after a swarm, they are typically found in small piles near window ledges or other light sources.
- Powder: Powder post beetles leave evidence of their presence with piles of a fine, talc-like powder around furniture, flooring and any housing structure made of wood.
- Mud Tubes: Made of particles of soil, wood and debris, these allow subterranean termites to reach food sources above ground level.
- Damaged Wood: This can include wood that sounds “hollow” when it is tapped with the handle of a screwdriver or wood that is soft when probed with a sharp object.
- Small Holes or Ripples in Drywall: When termites damage wood within your home, they often create tiny holes in the drywall. Extensive damage to the wood can make the drywall look rippled.
- Pellets: Drywood termites excrete pellets that are kicked out of holes. These pellets often accumulate in piles on window sills, baseboards and under wooden objects.
If you see any of these signs, contact a professional termite control company immediately to prevent further damage. It is also critical for your home to have an annual termite inspection to thoroughly inspect for any new activity and conducive conditions around your home.