7 Clear Signs of Termite Infestations

Contrary to what most people think, termites are not inherently harmful insects. However, they can get inside your house where they can wreak havoc. In fact, termite infestation is responsible for millions worth of damages in US homes and buildings.

As soon as you spot a termite problem, you need to call a pest control team ASAP. But first, it helps to know which symptoms indicate an infestation.

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   Wood Damage

One of the most obvious signs of a termite infestation is damage to wood. Sometimes they cause tiny pinholes in wood, but other times they can make tunnels through wood, especially if it’s already decaying or damaged by water.

Termites are attracted to wood because they need a substance called cellulose to survive. Cellulose is found in the cells of plants and certain insects, and termites use it as their main source of food.

One of the most common signs of termite damage is wood that is riddled with holes. Termites will also tunnel through wood, especially if it’s already decaying or damaged by water.

1. Swarmers

Another sign of termites is the presence of swarmers or alates. These are the winged version of the insects. When they get old enough, they leave their nests to start new colonies by swarming into the air.

If you see these flying around your house during certain times of year (usually spring and summer), then there’s a chance that your home could be infested with termites. Sometimes these pests will get into your home through cracks in the foundation, so check for them inside and outside.

But if you find an infestation while inspecting your home, another way to tell what kind of insect is there is by its wings. Termites

1. Droppings

Droppings are another easy way to tell if you have termites. Termites don’t usually scatter their droppings, so they’ll likely be in one or two areas of your house. You might find them under furniture or along the walls, where there are cracks for termites to enter.

Termite droppings are easy to spot because they’re long and cylindrical, with tapered ends. They can be wet or dry at different times of year but generally appear as a dark stain on wood floors or carpets, especially if it’s near an area where insects might enter your home.

1. Mud Tunnels

One of the more difficult signs of termites is the mud tunnels that they create. These tubes are sometimes mistaken for ant hills, but look closely and you’ll see tiny tracks heading up and down the tunnel. They’re made by termites moving through these tubes to get around and gather food.

If you find some of these tunnels near or on your home’s foundation, then there’s a good chance you have an infestation on your hands. To be sure, check the outside of your home for small piles of soil. Sometimes termites will build nests in them or use them as exterior doors into your house.

1. Weakened House Structure

If you go to pick up something heavy, like a piece of furniture or equipment, then your floor might give way under the weight. This is especially true if there are termites in your home’s foundation since insects will sometimes tunnel through wood supports and weaken them.

The best way to check for this is by putting some pressure on different parts of your foundation (just don’t damage it) while checking for signs of any damage inside. A good indicator that termites are present is if your house gets weak when you push on certain areas of it.

1. Wood Shavings

Another sign of termites is the presence of wood shavings. These are little curls or piles that insects leave behind as they burrow through wood and chew on it.

If you do notice some small piles of wood shavings near areas where bugs might enter your house, then it could indicate an infestation nearby. But to be sure, check for more signs like droppings or mud tunnels nearby.

1. Small Winged Insects Inside Your Home

One very common method to identify termite infestations is via locating small winged insects inside your home. This is because often when a person finds termite swarmers indoors, they turn out to be newly emerged winged reproductive termites.

While the job of foraging for food and water falls mainly on workers, sexual individuals are still mobile enough to travel from their parent colonies into human-made structures in search of infestation sites or better breeding grounds.

Termites have been known to spread from one dwelling to the next during the swarming season via sewage lines, plumbing vents, tied-up bundles of wood, etc. That’s why it’s best not just to find them in your house but also identify where they’re coming from.

Termite infestations are dangerous because they can destroy your home if left untreated. If you spot any signs of termites, then it’s important to act quickly and find the source of the problem before it spreads.

If you think you’ve spotted an infestation, then contact a pest control company for more information on how to proceed. You might also want to check with your insurance company about getting coverage against losses caused by these pests.