What Are The Signs Of Termites in Your Home?

What are the signs of termites in your home? If left untreated, a termite infestation can quickly cause havoc to your property in a brief period. Not only can they cause damage that as a result inexpensive maintenance and repairs.

The worst-case scenarios can even affect the structural integrity of your home. In this article, we will highlight seven clear signs of termites in your home.

#1 You see flying termites

There is no clearer sign that you have a developing problem with termites then you see them flying throughout your own. These swarmers are female or male termites who are looking to establish their colony and trying to find a place to mate and multiply. 

Termites come in a variety of different species; some swarm during the day but others swarm at night, primarily around sources of light. The vast majority of termites that you need to be aware of are dry-wood termites and these become very active directly after rainy days.

If you notice any of them flying around your home, it’s important that you inspectable the outside and inside Franny evidence of an infestation.

#2 Tapping your wood reveals a hollow sound

Termites primarily hollow pieces of wood from the inside out. As they establish a colony they eat wood and leave a thin outer layer behind. Sometimes, this layer may even be thin as the paint that is on your wall.

If you knock on this area too hard, you may even break it, but in most cases, you will clearly hear a papery hollow sound. This is down to the fact that there’s nothing but a thin layer keeping the structure in tight as the termites have completely eaten out the inside.

#3 Windows or doors are harder to open

Humidity and heat primarily after periods of wet weather can cause wood swelling, making some doors and windows more difficult to open. Unfortunately, this is also one telling sign of a termite infestation. 

Termites when found in fast numbers produce moisture, especially as they’re tunneling and eating through your wood, causing it to warp making doors and windows sticky and more difficult to open.

#4 Unexplained noise

If you suspect a termite infestation, one sign you look for in your home is a clicking sound. If you can sit in complete silence and you hear unexplained noises coming from your walls, this could be head banging by the worker termites.

Headbanging is how they communicate with each other and depending on the extent of the infestation, this can be very noisy putting your ears to the wall will help you identify where the termites are.

#5 Termite droppings

Termites are clean insects, and they remove their droppings from their nests. The termites that may infest your home would be primarily dry-wood termites.

And they produce small holes near their nests’ entrance, so they can quickly and easily remove the droppings and keep their nests clean. Experienced exterminators will look for dropping as clear signs of termite infestations. 

Termite droppings appear like small black or powdery marks you only find them in any corners or small cracks along your wall if you see something resembling this it’s highly likely you found the entrance to a termite nest.

#6 Mud or earth packs

Earth or mud packs are a byproduct of termites working in the walls. As they eat through the wood, they produce an earthen or mud like packing. You will find evidence of this near the foundation or the joints of your walls.

Designed and shaped like a tube, this packing provides additional protection for the colony and its workers as they can continue to chew through your wood.

#7 Floors start to sag

Termites will eventually find their way into your wooden flooring, and one of the clearest signs of an infestation is when your floors sag. Termites eating through your wooden floors will eventually compromise their integrity.

They will sound hollow and over time eventually sag as you walk on them

What Are The Signs Of Termites in Your Home? – Conclusion

We advise you if you notice any of the signs listed above that you contact a reputable pest control company today. Most will offer an obligation-free site survey to detect any termite infestation.