Termites. Just the word is enough to give homeowners a shiver down their spine. These silent destroyers can wreak havoc on your property if left unchecked. But how can you tell if you have termites before it’s too late? Here are some common signs to watch out for:
1. Mud Tubes
Termites build small, pencil-sized mud tubes to travel between their colony and food sources. These tubes can often be found on walls, floors, or foundations. They’re made of soil, wood particles, and termite saliva and are used to protect termites from predators and dry environments.
2. Discarded Wings
Termites swarm once a year, typically in the spring, to find mates and start new colonies. After swarming, they discard their wings. Finding piles of these wings around window sills, doors, or other entry points can be a clear sign of an infestation.
3. Hollow Wood
If you tap on wood and it sounds hollow, termites might be the culprit. Termites consume wood from the inside out, leaving a thin veneer of wood or paint. You can also use a screwdriver to test areas where you suspect termite damage; if the screwdriver easily punctures the wood, you likely have termites.
4. Bubbling or Uneven Paint
Uneven or bubbling paint can be a sign that termites are tunneling underneath. This can often be mistaken for water damage, so it’s important to inspect further if you notice this issue.
5. Frass (Termite Droppings)
Termite droppings, known as frass, are another indicator. Drywood termites leave behind small, wood-colored pellets as they consume wood. These pellets can accumulate in small piles around the infested area.
6. Noises in the Walls
Sometimes you can hear termites. Soldier termites bang their heads against the wood or shake their bodies to signal danger to the rest of the colony. This can often sound like a faint clicking noise coming from your walls.
7. Tight-fitting Doors and Hard-to-open Windows
Termites produce moisture when tunneling and eating through wood, causing doors and windows to warp and become difficult to open. If you notice a door or window sticking more than usual, it could be a sign of termite damage.
8. Visible Damage to Wood Structures
Look for visible signs of damage on wooden structures, such as decks, beams, or furniture. This can include tunnels in the wood, wood that easily crumbles when touched, or distorted wood shapes.
