Do You Know The Signs of Termites & Termite Damage?
Termite damage creates a very expensive headache for your home or business. By the time you see the obvious signs of termites, you may already be facing an expensive repair bill for your foundation or home structure. To help narrow down the possibility of a termite infestation in your home, learn the signs of a termite infestation from the two main types of termites – subterranean termites who build their colonies in the soil and drywood termites who build their colonies directly into the wood.
Signs of a Termite Infestation
There are many termite signs you can look for to decide if you need to call a termite exterminator.
Cracked Wood
Swarming termites are a big sign that you have colonies breeding in your home. They can enter through any crack that is smaller than the edge of a dime. If you see cracked wood, they may have already entered your home to start feasting.
Hollow Wood
Go through your home tapping any place that has wood. If it sounds hollow when it shouldn’t be, termites may have begun feasting in that area. The outside of the wood, like a baseboard, may seem smooth when there is damage underneath.
Sometimes you will actually be able to hear the noise as termites communicate to each other when disturbed. Try knocking on wood that you think is infested with termites and then listen. You will hear termites banging their heads on the wood to alert other termites of possible danger.
Termite Mud Tubes
The subterranean termites will build termite tubes on the outside of your home’s walls. These are commonly found around the foundation where water settles. Subterranean termites need moisture to sustain their colonies and will build their homes in places with high moisture content.
Termite Tunnels
While most termite tunnels are underground, you can look at the different types of termite mud tunnels to narrow down the possibility of a termite infestation. Working tubes rise up from the soil where subterranean termites The tubes will travel up foundations leading into the wood. Exploratory tubes will rise up from the soil but will not connect to a structure. Drop tubes will drop from the foundation back down to the soil.
Contact us today to determine where your infestation is!
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