10 Signs of Termite Infestation

Here are the 10 signs of termite home infestation you should be aware of.

1. Discarded wings

One of the most common signs of a termite infestation is the presence of discarded wings. Termites swarm to mate and establish new colonies, and after the mating process, they shed their wings.

2. Mud tunnels

Termites build their ideal cozy shelter tubes, commonly known as mud tubes, to travel from their nest to their food source without having to make contact with open air and sunlight. They protect the termites from dehydration and death.

3. Sagging flooring

As termites consume wood, they can weaken the structure of a building, causing floors to sag or become uneven. They eat major parts of the floor, such as support beams which causes the floor to sink when you step on the affected wooden area.

4. White ‘ants’

A termite colony consists of worker termites which are mostly white and light brown hence the name ‘white ants.” However, they are not true ants. Seeing a ‘white ant’ in your home could mean that its path has been broken by an intruder.

5. Damp spots

Termites live and thrive where there is moisture because it prevents the termites’ bodies from drying out and dying. Check the vicinity of damp places in your home and garden for other signs of termites.

6. Clicking sounds

Soft clicking sounds mostly at night indicate termites chewing on wooden material. You can also hear more pronounced clicking sounds during the day, especially if the termites sense movement toward their colony. If you happen to hear these sounds, you probably have a termite infestation.

7. Hollow or flaking wood

When dry wood termites infest your home, they eat wood from the inside out. This will result in hollow wood that crumbles when touched. As the termites burrow deep into the wooden structures in your home, you may see mazes inside the wood, signifying extensive damage.

8. Pinholes in wood

Pinholes help termites exit dry walls and other wooden structures. Termites sometimes fill these holes to protect their colony. Termites also use these pinholes to push out termite droppings and to leave the colony during the mating season.

9. Tight doors or windows

Termites release moisture as they eat and tunnel through the wood, causing windows and door frames to shift shape or swell. This makes them tough to open or close.

10. Termite droppings

Termite droppings show that you have dry wood termites in your home, which, unlike the subterranean termites, they don’t use frass to build their tunnels. Instead, they discard their droppings using a small exit hole in the wood. The droppings look like tiny pieces of dry sawdust.

If a termite infestation is confirmed in your home, take prompt action to exterminate the termites to prevent further damage to your home. Seek the services of a skilled pest control technician to assess the damage and completely eradicate the termites from your home. They will also show you measures to prevent future termite infestations.