We are dedicating our chat of the day to a pest most of us have come in contact with at one point or another: Termites. They single handedly can take down your structures integrity and leave you feeling like your investments were only ever termite food. Our goal is to keep you aware and alert so that you can prevent and stop a current infestation in its tracks. Here are our most common ways to detect termites.
SIGNS OF INFESTATION:
If you notice discolored/drooping drywall, that is one sign of termite infestation. You may also notice small pin-sized holes in the sheet rock or wallpaper. If you notice this, it’s time for an inspection! In some cases, damage can be limited to just the sheet rock and can be replaced in sections. In other cases, it can also be structural and extensive. We know these guys eat away at the structure of our homes and our wallets. Peeling paint that resembles water damage can be signs of an infestation. Termites need moisture, therefore they bring the moisture and it will stay contained behind the paint. If there are others signs of bubbling or peeling paint you should also check for leaks and even poor sealing. If you have places where wood sounds hollow when tapped, wooden or laminate floors that are buckling, crumbling or damaged wood, excessively squeaky floor boards, loosened tiles from added moisture, and even stuck windows or doors, those are all signs of termite activity. Although some of these can be attributed to other issues, you can’t go wrong by scheduling an inspection just to be sure. Maze like patterns in furniture, floor boards, or walls are another tell tale sign of termites. Mounds of termite pellets, also known as droppings or frass, which resemble little piles of salt and pepper. Piles of wings left behind after swarms. These wings will often resemble fish scales. You may even see them in spider webs and on surfaces around your home’s foundation, for example window sills or door frames. You could find these wings inside and outside of your home. Also, mud tubes climbing the foundation of your home. These tubes are simply shelter tubes for the termites and they act as a bridge between the colonies and the wood they eat. These tubes are compiled of tiny particles of soil, wood, and debris and serve to protect the colonies from any predator and also preserve moisture. Flying termites will swarm anywhere on your property or around your home. Most of the time these swarms can go undetected because they happen briefly and are based on species and weather conditions. Often times they swarm when most people are away from the home and some species even swarm at dusk and they are missed completely.
While termites won’t disappear completely with the upcoming winter season, they will slow down a good bit. They do manage to stay warm and active close to the structure that they inhabit so it is still important to take precautions and keep your eyes open for any signs. If you notice any signs or think you may have an infestation, call us today.