5 Early Signs of Termites: Protecting Your Infrastructure from Hidden Damage
Termites are notorious for causing significant damage to homes, offices, restaurants, and other properties, silently devouring wood structures from within. Identifying and addressing the presence of termites early can save you from potential financial losses and structural difficulties. In this blog, we will outline five early signs of termite infestation, allowing you to take prompt action and seek professional pest management services to protect your most valuable investment – your space.
- Mud tubes on walls and foundations
One of the first telltale signs of termite infestation is the appearance of mud tubes. These pencil-sized tunnel-like structures are made by termites using a combination of saliva, soil, and faeces to create a secure pathway between their nest and the wood they are feeding on. Regularly inspect the walls, especially in the foundation, for the presence of mud tubes. If you notice these structures, it’s crucial to act quickly as the termite intervention may be well-established now.
- Hollow-sounding Wood
A surefire indication of termites invading your space is hollow-sounding woods. Termites, especially subterranean termites, eat wood from the inside out, leaving only a thin outer layer intact. By tapping on wooden structures and listening for a hollow sound, you may be able to detect termite activity early on. Areas susceptible to termite damage are window frames, baseboards, doors, or any other wooden components near the ground.
- Presence of Discarded Wings
Flying termites, or ‘swarmers’ are reproductive termites that venture out of their nests in search of new locations to start colonies. If you find discarded termite wings around window sills, door frames, or other sources of light, it is an indication of an active swarm nearby. Termite swarms usually occur in the spring or early summer. So, be vigilant during these times to spot any signs of termite destruction.
- Cracked or Bubbling Paint
As termites feed on wooden structures, beneath the surface of your space, the moisture they create can cause the paint to bubble or crack. If you notice paint disruptions or unusual bulges on your walls or wooden surfaces, consider it a potential sign of termite activity. While it may be attributed to other causes, it is essential to rule out termite infestation by seeking professional pest management services.
- Appearance of Frass (Termite Droppings)
Termites produce tiny wood-coloured droppings known as frass. If you come across tiles of tiny pellets resembling sawdust or coffee grounds around your infrastructure, it could indicate a nearby termite invasion. Termites push these droppings out of their tunnels as they burrow deeper into wood structures. While frass may not be obvious as other signs, it should not be overlooked especially in conjunction with the other indicators mentioned above.
Early detection is key when it comes to protecting your precious space from termite damage. By being proactive and paying attention to early signs, you can quickly identify a termite attack before it becomes more severe. To ensure the effective elimination of termites and safeguard your infrastructure, it’s recommended to consult a professional pest management service that specializes in termite control and pest services.
Urban Junggle, a pioneer pest control service for residential and pest control service for commercial, provides natural pest control pest management solutions and techniques. We reach your doorstep within 24 hours of booking and examine every nook and corner. Check out the lists of our solutions and services along with the exciting offers and greatest deals for you!
Safeguard your home this monsoon season with Urban Junggle Pest Control Services
All living beings sustain on three things: food, water, and shelter. And pests are no different. Pests who have wandered into or colonized a human space are looking for at least one of these three must-haves. When our clients call us for a pest problem, the first step of Urban Junggle professionals is to look for that source.
Pests can be very stubborn when it comes to invading your houses and infrastructures. Even in the tidiest spaces with clean surroundings, pests can lurk in corners and crevices waiting to take advantage. Interestingly, moisture is enough to attract many insects into a space, and the availability of shelter from bad weather and predators is just a bonus. Since the monsoon has knocked on our doors, we must be vigilant and identify any potential pest invasion. The abundant availability of water, which is combined with other factors and pests’ preferences, propels the pests to build their nests around human dwellings.
Some of the most common household pests attracted to monsoon moisture include:
- Mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are one type of common pests that are incredibly annoying as they buzz around the space and bite to produce large, itchy red welts. During the monsoon season, when water is stored in buckets, pots, and terraces or outside in the roads and drains, it becomes a breeding space for mosquitoes to settle down. Generally, mosquitoes lay eggs in still water and their larvae attach themselves to the surface water as they mature. Only one mosquito is enough to find the right source of water to jump-start the mosquito infestation in your space.
- Termites
Termites are irritating pests that are destructive and cause billions of dollars worth of damage to infrastructures each year. Termites are usually referred to as wood-eating pests that build their entire colonies inside or underneath homes that provide food, water, and shelter during the monsoon season. Termites build mud tubes or “exploratory” tunnels where there is enough moisture and air.
- Ants
The flock of ants tends to build their homes near the sources of moisture and food which makes the transportation back to their colonies to feed their queens and larvae easy. Anyone can locate ants where there is the availability of food and ample water. Ants have a waxy exoskeleton that repels water because of which they can easily carry droplets of water on their back to their colonies. Thus, in rainy weather, one should be vigilant about any potential ant invasion.
- Drain flies
Drain flies are considered to be unhygienic pests that love the most and dark areas that are found in pipes and garbage disposals. They lay eggs in gelatinous masses on the walls of drains and other wet surfaces near water sources. Their eggs hatch into small larvae which are known as sewer worms and drain worms which feed on organic matter such as decaying debris and sludge within drains. During the rains, the water-filled drains and pipes act as the perfect shelter for them. The presence of drain flies is an indication of upcoming sanitation and drainage problems and hygiene issues.
- Silverfish
Silverfish are like cockroaches that prefer dark, warm, moist environments, so you are most likely to see them in large numbers during the monsoon season. As they are fond of darkness and moisture, silverfish are most commonly found in sinks and tub drains. Interestingly, silverfish are not solitary insects, so the appearance of one is likely to indicate the infestation in your space.
- How to keep your home dry and pest-free?
Property owners with moist surfaces face several risks to their health and the value of their infrastructure. Moreover, the high moisture in the atmosphere during the monsoon season contributes to the high humidity which makes it uncomfortable to live and a perfect opportunity for pest invasion. Hence, it is important to be extra careful during the rainy season and keep the infrastructure dry to avoid any pest infestation.
If you are confused and don’t know where to start, don’t worry, we are here to help you.
Urban Junggle is a well-known pest control service near you. We have a team of talented and certified pest control professionals who have an understanding of monsoon pest behaviour and how moisture control and pest management go hand in hand. We start by inspecting every nook and corner of your property to locate sources of moisture and use our cutting-edge technology to eliminate and redirect moisture coming into your space that will keep you and your property safe and comfortable.
