Would you believe that every year, termites cause an estimated $5 billion in property damage in the United States alone?
Yet, these minute wood-eating pests often go unnoticed, silently gnawing away the foundations of our homes until it’s too late. This statistic is a wake-up call for homeowners.
But the detection of a termite infestation isn’t always straightforward. Termites are crafty, elusive creatures that manage to hide their destructive activities until substantial damage has been done.
Thankfully, there are a few commonly ignored signs that could signal an infestation. To make things easier for you, we’ve written a guide. Keep reading to find out more.
Discarded Wings
An important sign of a termite infestation is finding piles of discarded wings around your home. Termites are known to shed their wings when they’ve found a new location to establish a colony, often your home.
If you spot small, transparent wings on window sills or near light sources, you might be dealing with termites. These wings are a termite infestation sign you shouldn’t overlook.
Mud Tubes
Another sign of termite infestation is the presence of mud tubes. These pencil-thin, tube-like structures are made by termites for safe travel from their nest to their food source.
You’ll typically find these mud tubes on the exterior of your house, especially where the house meets the ground. If you spot mud tubes, it’s a glaring sign of termites in your house.
Termite Droppings
Surprisingly, termite droppings, or frass, can be another sign of termite infestation. These tiny, pellet-like droppings are often found near termite entry points and resemble piles of sawdust or coffee grounds.
Although they may seem harmless, finding these droppings is one of the signs of termites you shouldn’t dismiss.
Spotting Actual Termites
Seeing actual termites in your home is an undeniable sign of infestation.
Termites are small, often white to light brown in color, and are commonly mistaken for ants. If you see these insects or find their discarded wings, you are seeing signs of termites in your house.
If you spot actual termites, this is a possible sign that they have already started destroying your home’s foundation.
This is why you’ll need to reach out to a reliable exterminator such as Tier 1 Pest Solutions. Find out more at tier1pestsolutions.com.
Swarming
Finally, swarming is a major sign of termite damage and infestation. Swarming is when a group of termites leaves their nest to start a new colony.
This usually occurs in warm weather and is often the first visible sign of a termite issue. Swarms typically contain thousands of termites, so it’s an unmistakable sign that there’s a termite problem.
Top Signs of a Termite Infestation
If you are a homeowner, it is a great idea to familiarize yourself with the top signs of a termite infestation.
Chances are that your home is infested with termites if you notice mud tubes on your walls, termite droppings, and discarded wings. Some people even spot actual termites. The good news is that a professional pest control company can get rid of your termites right away.
Do you want to find out more about house maintenance? If so, make sure to check out the Advice section of our website.
