Termites can live in any part of your home where there's wood. From the home's foundation to the door frames to the window frames and beyond, termites can be incredibly invasive—and the worst thing is that they can be in your home for a long time without you even knowing about it. However, the good news is that if you're vigilant about watching out for the signs of termites, you may be able to prevent a major infestation. Here's what you need to look out for.
Termite Droppings
Keep a watch for termite droppings, both inside and outside the home. Droppings appear as tiny black marks that you might first mistake for flecks of dirt. These marks are typically clustered together, but may appear in a scattered pattern as well. If you notice this type of black mark in your home, don't just clean it away and assume the problem is resolved. If you have termites, the droppings will soon be back—and the termites will continue to do damage in the interim.
A Hollow Sound
Termites typically start on the inside of the wood, essentially hollowing it out as they consume it. If you rap on a piece of wood and notice that it sounds hollow, it's a strong indicator that termites might be within. It's a smart idea to do periodic tests around the home, lightly rapping on both exterior and interior wood in various areas. Whilst you don't have to perform a systematic check of every piece of wood in the home, a general check in various places can give you an indicator whether termites are present.
Stuck Doors and Windows
Stuck doors and windows can indicate that your foundation is shifting or that the weather is particularly humid—but did you know that they can also be a sign of termites? As termites chew and tunnel through the wood in your home, they exude moisture. This moisture can cause warping of the wood, which in turn causes the door and window frames to stick.
Do You Have the Tell-Tale Signs of Termites?
If you have one or more of the tell-tale signs of termites discussed above, it's important that you contact a local pest control company for help straight away. In addition to evaluating the trouble signs you've already noticed, a professional pest control company has high-tech moisture and sound meters that can definitively determine whether you have a termite infestation. Once the termite problem is verified, your pest control company can begin termite removal procedures straight away.
Share12 March 2018
Hello, my name is Mandi, and although I own a number of pets including my dog, two ferrets and a guinea pig, I am utterly afraid of all non-pet creatures in my house. I hold the guinea pigs as I watch TV, and I sleep with my dog, but the idea of a mouse running through the walls makes me incredibly uncomfortable and tense. Since pests are such a trigger issue for me, I have spent a lot of time researching them. I have learned how to get rid of them, but more importantly, how to get rid of them without bothering or putting my pets in danger. If you are trying to balance the wanted and the unwanted creatures in your home, I hope these posts help!
