Termites can frequently go unnoticed for a long time on your property or within your house before being discovered. Termites, whether dry wood termites that dig deep into wooden structures or subterranean termites that live largely underground, can be difficult to detect before substantial damage has been done. 

It’s important to recognize the warning signs as soon as possible to limit the amount of damage they can do to your homes.

Unidentified piles of what seem to be coarse grains of sand that may be found practically everywhere in the house may be termite fecal pellets pushed out of wood structural components.

A moldy odor might also indicate the presence of destructive termites.

Termites are commonly detected by mud tubes on walls, along baseboards, or in cracks and crevices that link underground colonies.

Termite swarms can occur within or outside of a structure as mature termites abandon the nest to establish new colonies. Swarmers lose their wings shortly after taking flight. 

Small heaps of wings may be discovered in spider webs and on surfaces surrounding your home’s foundation, such as window sills. Discarded wings left on window sills, as well as flying termites within your home, are big warning signs.

A termite infestation can be identified by buckled or bloated wood. If you discover or break apart a piece of wood that has been honeycombed or carved out, the damage was most likely caused by termites or other wood-destroying creatures. To determine if the wood has been hollowed out, use a knife or a flat-bladed screwdriver to probe it. When tapped, severely damaged wood may sound hollow.

Subterranean termites form mud tubes (also known as shelter tubes) to connect their colony to the wood they eat. These tubes, which are comprised of small bits of dirt, wood, and debris, are intended to shield the colony from predators and retain moisture.

If you see any of these indicators of termites in your house, we recommend that you have an inspection done immediately. Termites may inflict substantial damage in a short period. Even if nothing is discovered during an examination, the peace of mind is worth it. Call Local Exterminator, and let us handle all your termite-related problems!