Termites are known for devouring wood quickly, causing massive structural damage. Recovering from an infestation early can save thousands in repair costs. It starts with figuring out that you have an issue. Here are some of the top warning signs of termite damage.
1. Pinholes in Drywall
Termites leave pin-sized holes in the drywall as they tunnel through wood, covered by dirt that makes them difficult to detect without taking drastic action. Drywood termites can leave behind their waste products which could be mistaken as wood rot or structural issues.
As one early indicator of termite infestation, wooden surfaces that exhibit mud tubes could be an early telltale sign of termites’ presence. You might detect them in crawlspaces, along cracks, up chimneys, or under floorboards.
Termites feast on organic material found in paper and wood products, like cellulose. As they do so, they can cause wooden products to warp and stiffen over time, making opening difficult or impossible altogether. You can spot warped wood from outside by tapping lightly on its surface and listening for a hollow sound when tapping against its surface.
2. Bubbling Under Your Wallpaper or Paint
Bumpy wallpaper or paint beneath is often an early indicator of termite infestation, as termites feed upon wood by feeding on its fibers, leaving bumps behind them that swell up and cause bumps to appear on surfaces, including wall surfaces or furniture underneath furniture.
If the wood sounds hollow when you tap on it, this could be another early indicator of termite infestation. Swollen wood may make doors and windows harder to open and close.!
3. Mud Tubes
Termites create cylindrical-shaped mud tubes to explore. If you discover one in or near your home, it could indicate early infestation. Mud tubes resemble straws with sticky surfaces used by termites to explore new areas for food sources.
These tubes also appear on non-wood surfaces such as concrete and metal surfaces, similar to wood. Working tubes tend to be larger, like termite interstates that connect ground-level nests.
If you find a mud tube, carefully break it open to check for termite infestation and inspect for live termites. Do not destroy these tubes as this may prompt termites to move towards finding more food sources elsewhere. Instead, consult a professional termite inspection and treatment service provider.
4. Swarmers
Swarmers can be an early warning that termites have invaded your home. Swarmers are winged forms of adult termites that emerge from their colonies to find mates and create new colonies; you may see these winged forms fluttering around windows or piles of wings near the entrance to your property.
5. Wood Damage
Wood damaged by termites often has a hollow or squeaky sound. This is because termites consume the insides of the wood leaving only an outer shell that holds everything together.
Sagging floors or walls that appear weak are an early warning sign. Although often confused for water damage, such signs could actually signal termite activity in an infestation.
Subterranean termites often leave behind small piles of sawdust called frass on infested pieces of wood, often mistaken for sawdust. If this debris appears around your house, it’s important to get it checked immediately as well.
If you find any warning signs of termite damage, you need the right team to help you with termite damage repair services.
