Your home should be your comfort zone, where you feel safe and relaxed. However, there are instances where hidden pests could pose a threat to your comfort without your awareness. Among the most destructive pests that could invade your home are termites. These are insects that work secretly behind the scenes, within walls, on the floor, and within wooden structures. Because they work secretly, most people are unaware that termites are invading their homes until significant damage has already been done.
Identifying the early signs of termite infestation could help prevent significant damage and costly repairs. Although some people try to control termite infestations with over-the-counter products, termite infestations are best handled by professionals. Knowing when to seek professional assistance could make a big difference in protecting your home.
Several signs may indicate that termites are already present or are spreading on your property. Here are some clear signs that indicate when it’s time to seek professional help for termites.
You Notice Mud Tubes Around Your Home
One of the most common signs of termite activity is the appearance of mud tubes. These tubes are small and are commonly found around the foundation, walls, or crawl spaces of the house. These tubes are constructed by the termites using mud, wood, and saliva.
The tubes provide them with the passage required to move from the underground colonies to the wood in the house while remaining protected from the sun and dry air. They look like thin lines of dried mud on concrete, bricks, or wood.
Homeowners often ignore these tubes because they appear harmless. However, they indicate that termites are entering the house. The presence of mud tubes indicates that the termite colony is active and feeding on the wood in the vicinity.
It is of great importance at this stage of termite activity to schedule an inspection with an exterminator near me. This helps detect the cause of the termite activity and prevent its spread to other parts of the house.
Wooden Structures Start To Sound Hollow
Another sign to look out for is when wooden parts of the house start to sound hollow. It should be noted that termites feed on wood from the inside out, meaning that the only part left intact will be the outer part.
When tapping on wooden beams, floors, or furniture, it may sound hollow. In addition, the surface may feel soft when pressed.
This means that since the outer part remains intact for such a long period, it may not be noticed that the wood has already been damaged from the inside out. Eventually, this may weaken important structural features in the house.
If you notice that the wood in your house sounds hollow, it may be time to contact an exterminator to check the house and determine whether termites are responsible for the damage.
Discarded Wings Appear Near Windows Or Doors
Some termites develop wings and leave their colony to begin new ones. These are called swarmers. Termites usually swarm during the warmer seasons when the colony has reached a large enough size to begin new ones.
The flying termites will shed their wings after flying for a short time. Homeowners will usually find a pile of shed wings near a window, a door frame, or a light source. Initially, these shed wings will resemble several tiny, transparent scales on the floor.
This usually means that a termite colony near the area is active and trying to build a new nest. Even if the swarmers are gone, the original colony could still be living inside the house.
Seeing shed termite wings should not be dismissed, as this usually means that termites are present somewhere. Professional pest control experts can be consulted to check if a colony has already established itself inside the house.
Doors And Windows Become Hard To Open
The activity of termites can also influence how certain parts of your home work. When termites eat wood, they dig tunnels in the wood, and in the process, they weaken the wooden frame. The weakening of the wood, although slight, can sometimes cause changes in the way doors, window frames, and wooden supports are shaped. As a result, the doors and windows can suddenly become hard to open and close.
Some people think that the weather or humidity could be the reason for the problems in their homes. Although humidity could be the reason, termite activity could also be the reason for the problems in your home.
When the doors and windows in your home are becoming hard to open and close without an obvious reason, it could be an indication that the wooden structure in your home is weakening due to termite activity.
You See Small Cracks Or Damage In Wood
Visible changes often appear after termites have been feeding for some time. Common changes include small cracks, paint bubbles, and uneven wood surfaces.
In some instances, the wood could be slightly warped or even thin. In other instances, bubbles could form on the paint due to termites that have eaten their way through the wood beneath it.
These changes occur over time, and one could easily miss them in their daily lives. However, they could indicate a large number of termites hiding in the walls or even the floor.
When one realizes that changes are occurring in their home, they should consider pest control services, as they are the safest way to address the issue. They have the required expertise and tools to address the situation and prevent it from worsening.
Final Thought
Termites can cause significant damage to homes, as they operate silently and remain out of sight for long periods. There are instances when termite infestation happens silently until signs of termite presence are evident in the home.
Professional pest control service providers offer the expertise and equipment needed to detect the problem, eliminate the infestation, and prevent further damage. Rather than waiting for the problem to get worse, seeking professional help ensures that your home is secure and sound.
