Before you ever have to worry about termite damage, you need to know if there are termites invading your home or business. They are not easy to detect, but there are signs to look for that will let you know if termites are present.
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Termite Tubes
This is probably the best and easiest way to spot termites. Check the outside of buildings and look for mud tubes running up the side of a foundation. The tubes will end where a wooden post, stud, or beam begins, and they are a sure sign that termites have invaded the structure.
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Swarmers and Wings
Swarmers are the kings and queens that take to the air. They generally appear during the spring in the daytime and, much like flying ants, they swarm in huge numbers and fly up into the sky.
Once they have finished mating, the swarmers discard their wings. This is another sign to look for: piles of wings around buildings may indicate that termites are present.
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Hollow Wood
There are two ways to determine if the wood is hollow. You can tap on wooden studs or beams, and if they sound hollow, you may have a termite problem. You can also whittle away a bit of the overlaying wooden surface. If you see tunnels inside, you may have termites.
Termite Damage
- Structural: Termites will eat so much wood that if unchecked, they will destroy the structure of a building. Beams and studs can be eaten almost completely through, and these supporting pieces may collapse as termites compromise their structural rigidity.
- Swollen Floors: Termites in your flooring bring humidity with them in the form of body waste. This humidity, coupled with the tunnels created, will sometimes cause floors to swell in certain spots. Although swelling floors can be caused by numerous things, if you find other signs of termite infestation along with swollen floors, you may have a serious termite problem.
- Ceiling or Walls Discoloration: If you have no known water leaks but your ceilings or walls are slowly becoming discolored, that may be a result of termite infestation. Again, through feces and other waste products, termites bring humidity into their tunnels, which may appear as discoloration on the ceiling. If you have ruled out every other form of moisture and the ceiling is still discolored, you may have a termite problem.
Termite Inspection
The best way to ascertain whether you have a termite infestation is by a professional inspection. Knowledge is the key here, and although these guidelines give you a little insight into what to look for and expect when finding termites, it is easy to miss some signs that a qualified professional wouldn’t.
If you have any questions about a termite problem or other pest control, or if you would like a termite inspection, please contact Bain Pest Control Service. For four generations, Bain has been New England’s pest control company of choice.