Termites are one of the most destructive pests known to mankind as they damage your furniture, your property and your bank balance required to repair all of it. Their presence if often overlooked until significant damage is done. By learning to recognize some of the signs or a termite infestation, you can take timely action and protect your home. Let’s explore such signs in detail.

Mud Tubes

You might notice pencil-thin tubes occurring along the foundation of your home, around the baseboards and along the walls. These are nothing but mud tubes made by termites from a mixture of soul, wood particles and termite saliva. These mud tubes are built to give termites a humid environment to survive and protects them as they forage for food.

Look for these mud tubes around the house especially in crawl spaces, basements and wooden beams where soul meets the structure.

Damaged Wood: The Telltale Sign of Termite Infestation

Cellulose is the most preferred food of termites and as they consume this delicacy, they leave behind damage that can weaken your house’s furniture and structure over time. Damaged wood is one of the most common indicators of a termite infestation, but is often detected until the damage is extensive.

Termites eat the wood from the inside out, which can make the outside look particularly normal but the insides had been completely devoured. This makes termites difficult to spot and weakens the wood. Wood can be tapped lightly to hear a hollow sound, which is indicative of an infestation. Blistering and bubbling of wood is a visual sign of damage.

Home owners need to pay attention to all wooden structures around their homes from time to time, including door frames, window sills and flooring.

Swarmers around the house means you’re not alone

You might’ve noticed large winged termites that stay in an around your house. These are called swarmers that are reproductive termites and establish new ones quickly, especially during the warmer months.

If you spot swarmers in or around your home, it is essential to take action as they could establish a colony within your home.

Other Signs of Termite Infestation

• Termite Droppings called ‘frass’ can be seen near infested wood and resemble small piles of sawdust.
• Noises can be heard in severe infestations as they ctunnel through the wood and communicate with each other.