Having a termite infestation is one of the biggest nightmares that any homeowner can have. Termites destroy the woodwork and make the whole house extremely fragile. In fact, according to statistics, homeowners may already sustain $7,900 worth of damage before they even figure out that they have termites. The worst part is that termite damage can’t be covered by home insurance.
So before you even get there, you have to take measures to ensure that your house doesn’t have an infestation. The first step to prevention is to know if you have an infestation. After you’ve spotted the signs, you might want to call a good exterminator such as Fischer Environmental Services to help you. Here are 6 signs that’ll help you know:
Termite Droppings and Wings
The most obvious sign to observe is the presence of termite dung (known as frass) and fallen wings. If there are indeed termites, you’ll notice their dung around the house because they leave droppings almost everywhere. Their wings also fall off sometimes, so if you see random insect wings around your house, these could be the wings of a termite.
Tiny Holes in the Woodwork
If you notice random holes in the woodwork, it could mean that the termites are eating their way inside your home already. Look out for tiny holes that weren’t there before on wooden walls, ceilings, and floors. This is a very big indication of termite activity.
Hollow Wood
Another clear sign of termite activity is hollow wood. If you notice that your pillars, beams, walls etc. have a hollow spot, then you most likely have an infestation. To find out, try knocking on the wood. You’ll know if there’s a hollow spot or not by the sound it makes when you knock.
Spongy Flooring
Aside from hollow wood, you might also want to check out for spongy and soft floors. You can actually see if a floor is becoming soft or spongy by spotting for discoloration. To confirm, use a screwdriver to dig into it. If you can, then there is most likely a termite house near the affected area.
Solid Mud Tubes
Termites often create mud tubes to protect themselves from outside threats. These mud tubes can be found on your walls and the corners of your floor. If you happen to see any mud tubes in your house, then there is definitely a termite colony somewhere around which you need to get rid of fast with the help of exterminators such as Fischer Environmental Services.
Deformed Windows or Doors
Lastly, you’ll find that the corners of your windows or doors are already deformed. The wood chippings on your door may be sticking out or sinking downward. If you see this, it means that some termites have already settled in your house.
What to Do Next?
After you’ve spotted these signs, call up your exterminator right away. Don’t wait until you see all the signs. If you see at least two signs, call up a professional immediately. Even if the exterminator tells you that you don’t have a case of termites in your house, you can always ask for advice on how to prevent an infestation so you won’t need to call a second time.