How Can You Tell If You Have Termites in Your House?
Termites are one of the main pests that homeowners have to fight each year. They are not a common home pest, but they can cause some very costly structural damage.
A good way to tell if you have termites is to look at the wood in your home. The shape of the wood may change, or it may become dark and hollow. The wood may also sound hollow, creak or sway.
Another clue is the amount of moisture present. If you notice any of these signs, it is probably time for a termite inspection. The average termite damage repair costs thousands of dollars.
Besides eating wood, termites can also damage your home’s walls. They create moisture, and this can lead to sagging floors, blistered paint, and warped window frames.
Termite swarms occur in the fall and spring. They are groups of winged adult termites that have departed the colony and are looking for new mates. This type of activity can be found in the middle of a spider web, on a window frame, or near an indoor light source.
The size of the wood can also be an indicator. If you notice a lot of termite feces, it is probably a good sign of a termite infestation. These feces are called frass, and they are tiny balls of digested wood.
Termite mud tubes are small holes in the wood that the insects use to plug themselves. They look like narrow veins along the outside of your house.