Termites are called silent destroyers for a reason. Many homeowners only see signs of damage when there is already a lot of it. Termites feed on plants and trees that are dead and their capability to tear wood with their mouths is the reason humans should be concerned about their homes. Even though termites don’t usually exceed one centimeter in size, the damage they cause to home structures and furniture can be very costly.
Termite warning signs
Before it’s too late, you can check the following warning signs of a termite infestation in your home:
- You hear a hollow wood sound when you tap on your wall, your shelf or any other wooden material in your home
- You notice mid tubes on outer walls, beams and other possible crawl spaces
- Cracks or bubbling paint in your walls may be passing places for termites from outside
- You notice a swarm of winged insects around your home and then you find a bunch of discarded wings from those insects inside our outside your home.
Termite damage signs
The signs of termite damage actually depend on the kind of termites invading your home. Whether your home is made with all wood or some other material, it could still be at risk for termite infestation. When in doubt, contact your local pest control expert especially if you see these damage signs:
- Subterranean termites do not make very obvious damage but once you see it, it’s usually already full blown. You will see visible mazes on your walls and the damage would look similar to water damage.
- There are also drywood termites and you will find them inside your furniture or walls. The first signs of damage include cracks that come from inside the wood.
What to do when you see termite problems at home
First of all, to avoid termite infestation, you need to do the following to protect your property:
- Remove any moisture problems you have in your house like leaking faucets, constantly wet and water filled gutters or vents and pipe holes.
- Remove sources of food like firewood, debris and stumps. Avoid wood to touch soil because this is a very common entry point for termites into homes.
If you think that there is already damage or you suspect that there is already damage, get help from a professional and licensed pest control technician. They can do the assessment and get rid of the problem for you so you could get repairs done on your home before termites eat everything.
Since termite damage can be very costly and catching the warning signs is not very easy, you might want to consider investing on a pest control protection plan on your home. Spending a few bucks every year can save you a lot of money in the long run as well as save you from the headache of termite and other pest problems, which could be dangerous to you and your family especially small children.