Do I Have Termites? Watch Out For These 6 Signs!

Did you know that there is more termite damage to buildings than damage by fire, flood or wind combined? Have you lately wondered whether your home may be infested by a termite colony? You might have noticed some changes inside or outside your home. Maybe there are little holes in the wall that didn’t use to be there. How do you know whether it is termites?

termite-inspector

For all those who are wondering ‘Do I have termites?’, here are 6 signs to look for which most likely indicate that you have termites:

  • A swarm of winged insects in or around your home, especially in spring when termites are swarming
  • Cracked paint that looks like it is blistering or bubbling on wooden parts
  • Wood that sounds hollow when you tap on it
  • Tubes or tunnels on exterior wooden walls, beams or fences
  • Discarded wings on the floor inside your home or in your yard (termites shed their wings before they go boring into the wood and make their colony)
  • Droppings (tiny round pellets looking like grains of sand) next to wooden areas

Remember, termites love damp environments within wood. They can crawl through the tiniest crack. This is why this destructive pest is also called “the hidden pest”, because they can stay undetected for a long period of time. They multiply, but it takes a colony at least two years to become so mature that they swarm.

So if you find any of the above signs, don’t panic. Do you have termites? Yes, but the good news is that they are slow and it would take them a few thousand years to eat your house completely. However, they can cause severe damage to your structure over time. Termite damage repair can be very expensive. Therefore it is best to call a termite inspector right away to take a look at the problem. Many provide free inspection and will give you a free quote, so you can see how much damage is already done, what is the right treatment to get rid of the pest, and how much it will be. Never try to do your your own termite control – effective treatment requires specialized equipment and professional knowledge. Although you may be able to kill some of them, you don’t have the professional equipment to reveal the whole extend of the infestation, and using toxic chemicals incorrectly may result in sever health problems to you, your family or your pets.