Once you find a single termite, it indicates that a colony of thousands might be nearby. While damage made by one termite can be minor, having a whole colony can cause significant damage to the building structure. Learning the signs of termites early is essential to controlling and minimizing the damage they can cause. This article will walk you through some signs you have termites and how to protect your home from these pests.
Blistering termite wood damage
If you find blister spots on your wood or the flooring starts buckling, this can signify that termites are in your home. Subterranean termites can cause damage to the subfloor, which can make the wood flooring look discolored or have a wavy appearance on the surface. You can work with termite control companies like A-Team Termite & Pest Control – Oklahoma City to help detect early signs of these bugs and prevent further damage. They cluster in softer subfloor wood or support, so you may not notice until they have caused quite enough damage.
Hollowed or damaged wood
Termites eat wood from the inside, creating a maze-like or honeycomb pattern. This hidden damage can reduce the integrity of walls and floors, resulting in a hollow sound when tapped. Because they feed on the wood interior, you may not notice the harm they have caused until it has become a serious structural problem.
Swarmers (flying termites)
Swarmers are flying termites that branch off from their colony to find mates and start new colonies. Swarming happens at a specific time of the year, and there might be hundreds or thousands of these bugs in a swarm. Once you notice flying termites swarm near your home, it’s a sign that they have been there for a long time.
Discarded termite wings
These can be found near closed windows, doors, or entry points. Termites fly towards windows because they are attracted to light. They twist their wings intentionally when they don’t, as they won’t need them again. You may notice some wings, but that doesn’t mean the termites are dead; instead, they might be busy building a new colony.
Hard to open doors and windows
When termites eat through wood searching for cellulose, they damage the wood, causing it to buckle or warp. This damage can make it hard to open or close windows. Stuck windows and doors that are hard to close or open completely can be an early sign of termite infestation.
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Mud tubes
Subterranean termites nest underground and forage up to their food sources, most often house structures. You can find pencil-sized mud tubes where the ground meets your home or any food source, like a tree or shed. These tunnels help prevent cool, dry air from entering, potentially turning your home into a suitable environment where they thrive.
Drywood termite droppings (frass)
Dry wood termites often nest inside wood. They tunnel and eat the wood they infect, eventually creating galleries. To keep the galleries clean, they create kickout holes where they keep their droppings. The droppings are mostly wood, and when they land on windowsills or floors, they create small pellets resembling sawdust or coffee grounds.
Damaged drywall, bubbling under paint or wallpaper
Drywall contains papers, which contain cellulose, which is the primary food source of termites. As they chew, they leave behind small trails on the surface of the drywall and inside. You may notice pin-sized holes on your drywall or wallpaper where the pests have eaten their way through. The pinholes capped with dirt and bubbling beneath wallpaper or paint are a sign there are termite infestations around your home.
Moldy scents
Termites prefer highly moist wood, which usually has a moldy scent. Once you notice a musty smell and can’t find the source, contact a local pest control company to conduct a termite inspection in all areas of your home.
Overly squeaky floors and loosening tiles
Your tiles can become loose due to termites eating the flooring or subflooring. If you have wooden floorboards, the damage can lead to them buckling and blistering, leading to more noise as you walk over them or you apply pressure in the main damaged areas.
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Conclusion
Termite infestations can significantly affect the integrity of your property structure, which makes it crucial to equip yourself with knowledge of the signs you have termites and how to deal with it.
Keep in mind that you cannot handle this yourself unless you are well-versed in pest control. Contact a local pest control company to perform the necessary inspections and decide on the right action to take.