How Quickly Can Termites Damage a House?

You can’t be sure how quickly termites will damage your house. They’re a sneaky pest that can go undetected for years. They can cause thousands of dollars in damages, but you don’t have to wait until your home has structural problems to take action.

One of the first things to look for when you see termite damage is hollow wood. This could mean that your wooden objects are being eaten by the insects. If this is the case, you should clean it up and seal it with a wood hardener.

Termites can eat up a huge amount of wood within a short period of time. For example, in six months, a moderate-sized colony can cause substantial damage. A large-sized colony can eat a pound of wood every day.

You can find termites in walls, floor joists, foundation timbers, and roof supports. If they are discovered early, they can be cleaned and destroyed. They may also move into your attic.

The speed at which they will damage your home depends on the species of termites. The Formosan termite, for instance, can ravage a house in as little as a year. Drywood termites, on the other hand, take three to eight years to destroy the structure.

In addition to damaging a home’s interior, termites can eat through drywall and support beams. They can also damage floors and ceiling joists.

The size of the colony and the environment also affect the time it takes to destroy a home. Having a wood type that the termites don’t like will slow their invasion.

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