Termites cause millions of dollars in damage to homes every year—in fact, a homeowner who experiences them spends $3,000 on average for repairs. According to the National Pest Management Association, “termites alone cause $5 billion in property damage annually”. This is why it’s so important to know the signs that termites are present.
If you suspect termite activity in your home, it’s always best to contact a termite control professional but first, you have to know what to look for. Here are the top seven signs of termite activity in your home:
1. Floor Damage
Warped and buckled floors are a surefire sign you have termites. Termites feed on wood, and this includes the subflooring of your home. Termites affect the structural integrity of the wood and can weaken it over time.
2. Wall Damage
Like the floors, termites also eat away at the wooden parts of wall frames and other areas of the house. You can tell when they’re starting this treachery when you tap on the walls. If it sounds hollow, you know you’re in trouble.
But on top of that, this may cause discoloration to walls and plaster around termite-damaged wood.
3. Ceiling Damage
If termites are present, you’ll likely see damaged ceilings as well. This often manifests in bubbling paint or sagging areas that appear along the ceiling because termites have weakened the wood. With termite control, these damaged areas can be properly removed and replaced once identified.
4. Foundation Damage
Foundational damage is a scary thing. This includes cracks and weak spots in your foundation—which is a sign that termites have been eating away at the wooden base of your house.
5. Weakened/Hollow-sounding Wood
Termite’s favorite treat is wood and they will eventually eat away at the wooden parts of your house—making them seem hollow or weak. If you tap on these areas and it sounds like something is missing inside, termites could be the cause, and it’s imperative you call termite control as soon as you see it.
6. Frass
Frass is termite droppings and they may be present in your home if you have those critters. Frass often looks like sawdust and can be seen near termite activity in the house. So put your investigative skills to work and keep your eyes peeled for termite droppings.
7. Mud Tubes on Exterior Walls
Mud tubes are a termite’s highway. These tubes can be seen on the exterior walls and run up to termite colonies in your home. If you see any of these, it’s time to call termite control immediately.
These tunnels are made from termite saliva and other parts and termites use them to travel from one part of the house to another. Don’t let them make roads in your home, take action immediately.
Say Goodbye to Termites with Patriot Pest Control
If you suspect termite activity in your home, it’s important to contact a termite control professional like Patriot Pest for help. Patriot Pest has experience dealing with termites and can remove them from your property as quickly as possible. Say goodbye to frass, hollowed wood, and termite mud tubes, and get your home back.
Don’t wait—contact Patriot Pest for termite control today.