Termites have always been a problem for people living in Allen and caused some pretty significant damage to properties that resulted in costly expenses and repairs that could have been easily avoided through pest control. Termites are tiny insects that feed on wooden structures and other cellulose-based materials and do that pretty silently.
Termite infestation needs to be identified at an early stage, or else the result can be pretty detrimental to the property and its market value, which is precisely why we are going to look at some common signs of termite infestation in homes.
- Mud Tubes
A pretty distinctive sign of termite infestation is the presence of mud tubes around the house.
Subterranean termites build such pencil-sized mud tubes, which serve as a protective tunnel between the colony of termites and sources of food. Such tubes are found along the walls and wooden objects in the house, and breaking a tube will expose termites, which is a clear indicator of an infestation that is currently active.
- Wood Damage
Termites feed on wooden structures from the inside, which makes it pretty difficult to detect until the damage turns severe. Wood that crumbles pretty easily when pressed or wood that sounds hollow indicates the activity of termites. Early detection helps to prevent severe damage and save on some repair costs.
- Swarmers (Alates)
Alates, or termite swarmers, are reproductive termites with wings who leave the existing colony to start a new one. Such termites generally swarm in a relatively large group, especially after rain or spring.
Discarded wings near doors, windowsills, or other sources of light indicate that the termites swarmed pretty recently, hinting at an existing colony somewhere close.
- Frass
Termite droppings, or frass, is another pretty apparent sign of termite infestation. Drywood termites push fecal pellets out of tiny holes around the nest entrance. Such pellets look like coffee grounds or sawdust and are often found in small piles. Frass around structures made of wood indicates the presence of dry wood termites in the house.
- Buckling Paint or Wallpaper
Damage caused by termites can result in uneven wallpaper or paint, which happens because the termites consume the wood present behind walls, where moisture builds up and causes bubbling or warping of paint.
The damage is often misinterpreted as some water damage, but it is better to do some inspection to confirm.
Next Step After Detecting Termite Infestation
If someone detects termite infestation in the home, the most rational thing to do is to get professional pest control services to deal with the problem. Such professionals are well-equipped and possess a plethora of knowledge in this particular field to effectively deal with the termite infestation persisting.
