Signs you Have Termites

Serving Illinois and Indiana

One of the reasons termites are able to do so much damage is because they’re hard to detect. Termites are known as “silent destroyers” because of their ability to chew through wood, flooring, and even wallpaper undetected. Unfortunately, it can be extremely difficult to detect termites early unless you invest in annual inspections by a professional pest control company. Furthermore, noticing even a small sign of termites often indicates a larger problem at hand, as physical signs are rarely noticed until the infestation is quite severe. It’s important to know the common signs of termites in your property to try to catch an infestation in its early stages!

Detecting the First Signs of Termite Damage

If you spot signs of termite damage without actively searching for it, you very likely have a serious infestation. Because termites cause structural damage, it can be difficult to spot until the infestation is quite severe. It’s always best to actively keep an eye out for the following early signs of termite damage:

• Mud Tubes: These are thin tunnels that are typically found around a termite nest. They’re built from pieces of wood and soil and look like a long mound that winds in a single direction. To check if a mud tube is active, just break it open. Termites will be traveling through the tunnel if they’re still calling your home their home.
• Wood Damage: Termites will leave wood looking like it’s water damaged, which may make the wood appear rippled, buckled, and swollen. You may also see visible mazes within wood structures.
• A temporary swarm of winged insects in your home or from the soil around your home.
• Any cracked or bubbling paint or frass (termite droppings).
• Wood that sounds hollow when tapped.
• Mud tubes on exterior walls, wooden beams, or in crawl spaces.
• Discarded wings from swarmers.

Effective Termite Prevention and Control

Unfortunately, by the time you notice these signs, it usually means the infestation is severe. Detecting termites early is difficult without the help of a professional’s trained eye. Simply put, termites can do a lot of damage before they are ever discovered. In order to spot them, some experts use specialized equipment and often extract samples to test for presence. If you suspect a termite problem, don’t wait to act. Call the team at Anderson Pest Solutions today to learn how we can protect your home from termites!

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