Termites cost America, on average, $5 billion a year in damages! The majority of the time though, this is more likely left down to the homeowner’s neglect.
A Termite infestation often leaves behind some tell-tale signs: some of them misleading, while others painfully obvious. The issue is; if you are not aware of all of the signs you may have termites, your home could, quite literally, become a house of cards!
So, here are the 5 most common signs you have termites.
Mud Tubes
Mud tubes are exactly what they sound like: tubes of mud implanted in your walls, either inside or outside your house.
Termites create these mud tubes to ensure that they can move around your house in their favorite climate.
Typically, mud tubes are found in lower parts of the house, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t craftily work themselves all the way up the building over time, so stay alert!
Frass
Frass is a substance that looks like mounds of sawdust or coffee grains on floors. These are mounds of termite droppings! As termites consume the wood in your home, it all has to go somewhere!
So keep an eye out for this strange substance in areas where there is wood on the inside or outside of your house. Places like the attic and basement are often overlooked if they are not regularly visited.
Don’t get complacent. If there is furniture to move for a thorough check, better to be safe than sorry!
Swarmers and Wing Confetti
If you live in an area where termite infestations are a possibility then it’s important to understand how they work. For instance, swarmer termites are often confused for flying ants.
If you know what they are from the get-go, there is a chance you may be catching termites casing the joint! Often, swarmers are sent ahead to form new colonies.
Once termites establish a colony, they shed their wings on the spot which produces another one of our termite signs: wing confetti. So keep your eyes peeled for tear-drop-shaped objects inside or outside your house.
Clicking Sounds in Your Wall
Termites are loud eaters and they and even louder workers. They communicate danger in either two ways: banging their head against the wood or shaking their bodies.
All of the above produces clicking sounds from inside your walls. Attempt to follow the sound by putting your ear to the wall.
If in doubt, alternatively, you can call a termite control service like this company to professionally inspect the noises and other termite signs mentioned in this article.
Strange Wood
Last but certainly not least, inspect the wood around your house — including trees. Warped wood may be caused by the humid operations of termites. So if doors and windows become hard to close, don’t ignore them!
This can also manifest itself as bubbling paint.
Also, check the sound of the wood around the house. A hollow papery sound could be a sign that termites have made trails in certain areas.
Signs You Have Termites: A Warning!
Keep in mind that termites can do a ton of damage without a single symptom.
If there are signs you have termites, be sure to act immediately and get the appropriate termite treatment! However, if you don’t have any, but you live in a termite-prone area, don’t be your worst enemy. Keep in touch with the professionals at least once a year.
Above all, remember that overconfidence is a bigger enemy than a termite army. Prevention is better than the cure!
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