Signs of Termite Infestation

Your home faces many threats such as floods, fire, high winds and so on. You take all the necessary steps to protect your home from the dangers that it faces. But have you protected it against termite infestation? Termites are the top threat to wood and wooden structures. According to the National Pest Management Association, termites inflict damages to the tune of over $5 billion each year, in the U.S. alone. In this country, we have 2 types of termites – the subterranean and drywood varieties. The former builds its nests in the ground and the latter is found in the wooden parts of a structure and the furniture and other wooden items in it. They are both equally dangerous to your home and your possessions. Both types are found in California.

Warning Signs

The first point to note is that it is a myth that termites swarm only in the spring. They are active all year round and an infestation can occur at any time.

• Termites bore into wood and start eating it from the inside. As per termite damage repair professionals, the wood may appear to be fine on the surface, but if it produces a hollow sound when tapped, there is something wrong and it could possibly be termites.
• Termites move in swarms. If there are discarded wings at or near areas of the home where the termites may gain entry, it is a matter of concern. The places where the wings are most often seen are near windows, skylights, etc.
• Drywood termites leave wood-colored droppings known as frass behind as they eat their way through wood. Any sign of insect dropping should not be ignored – it could easily be a sign of termites.
• Subterranean termites build tiny mud tubes on surfaces to enable them to move. These tubes also allow the moisture that the termites need to be retained inside them. Muddy tubes or streaks anywhere, indoors or outdoors, are a cause for concern.
• Drywood termites use cracks in the paint or polish on wood to get below the surface and bore their way in. Cracks or other damages to the paint or polish should not be ignored – if the termites haven’t already gotten in, they soon will.

The signs of a termite infestation are often difficult to observe, especially in the early stages. The later the presence of termites is discovered, the greater the damage that will have been done. To keep your home safe, you need expert help. A termite damage repair company will be able to do an inspection to locate termites and if an infestation is found, do fumigation termite control or non-fumigation termite control. If no termites are found (or after a termite control treatment), the company will also be able to provide the right type of preventive treatment to keep your home safe in the future. Your home is your family’s biggest asset and it needs to be protected from termites, along with the other dangers it faces.