The Top Three Signs That You Have Termites

24 Mar The Top Three Signs That You Have Termites

Homeowners rarely realize termites are causing damage to their homes until the pests have permanently damaged their structure. Their activities are cryptobiotic, and hidden from view, so it can be a surprise to homeowners when they are informed that their house is infested. Termites consume the inner part of the wood but still leave the outside surface intact leaving people oblivious to the major damage that is happening to their home. With these three tips to help you spot termite damage, you can catch it early enough to get rid of the problem and keep your home in the shape that it deserves.

1. Found Wings? – Leftover termite wings can be found near closed windows and doors. When termites swarm out of their nest to try and start a new colony, they fly one at a time and only for a short distance. When they land the termite will twist their wings off because they will never need them again. The way to tell if they are in fact termite wings is by making sure that it is a duel pair and each wing is the same size as the other. If the wings differ in length you are most likely looking at a carpenter ant infestation rather than termites.
2. Mud Tubes – Pen-sized mud tubes can be found where the ground meets your house or in places like a tree or shed. Termites require a certain temperature and humidity level to survive. Their tunnels help block out cool and dry air turning a home into an environment where they can thrive. You can test the mud tube for termites by leaving the ends of a mud tube intact and removing a small section in the center. If termites crawl out or if the section is rebuilt within a few days, termites are still active in your home. However, they may also choose to abandon the disturbed mud tube and build a new one in fear of the tunnel being disturbed again.
3. Wood Damage – Wood damage from termites is most often below ground level and behind surfaces like walls, floors, and ceilings. Termites chew through wood in search of cellulose, leaving behind long grooves. Over time these grooves weaken the wood creating structural damage. Looking below the surface damage is hard to do and it is recommended that it be done by an expert. A specialist has tools to test hollowed-out areas for signs of termite damage, often without having to cut through walls or ceilings. Unfortunately, even if you cannot see signs of term

Unfortunately, even if you cannot see signs of termites, that doesn’t mean that they are not there. Protect your home well into the future by calling Western Exterminating today (817) 834-3121 to schedule your termite inspection and prevention.