Hidden Home Destroyers: 9 Signs You Have Termite Infestation
Left untreated, termite infestations can severely damage your home due to their constant feeding on wood—in fact, the numbers show that termites cause over $5 billion in damages every year. That means every hour could bring more damage to your property. As termites nest in your home, they’ll eat through wooden structures, floors, furniture, and more—and this could all be happening right underneath your nose.
As a homeowner, being proactive and knowing the signs of a termite infestation can help protect your home from hundreds to thousands of dollars in damage.
Are There Termites in North Carolina?
Yes, there are termites in North Carolina, and they’re not an uncommon problem for homeowners in our state. They tend to be most active in the spring months as this is their reproductive season. The most common termites we treat in North Carolina are the subterranean termites, which can cause significant damage to your home.
9 Signs You Have Termite Infestation
Before you can get rid of termites in your home, you’ll first need to identify the signs that they’re in your home. Here are 10 things you should look out for if you’re worried about a termite infestation.
1. Termite Droppings (Frass)
One of the most obvious and consistent sign of termites is seeing their droppings in your home, also known as frass. Frass looks like small piles of fine sawdust, as this is the leftover wood that the termites consume. The most common areas for frass are on windowsills, the floor near doorways, under windows, in corners, and near or under baseboards. The color can vary from light brown to black, and it may be piled together or more spread out. Unfortunately, if it’s scattered, it can be easy to miss.
2. Termite Mud Tubes
Subterranean termites live underground and build mud tubes to shelter and find food. The tunnels (pictured here) are above ground and lead to their underground nests, usually being about the width of a pencil. Characterized by their dryness, brown color, and cylindrical shape, they consist of frass, mud, and termite saliva.
Look for mud tubes along the outside of your home, even on cement walls where the cement might be cracked. You might also find them in crawlspaces, by door jambs, and windowsills, especially when your home is not completely wooden.
3. Swarmers & Discarded Wings
Swarmers are the only termites that fly, and they are the young male and female termites looking to reproduce in the spring. If you see a swarm near your home, you likely need to treat your home for termites before it becomes an infestation. If they settle in your home, you may also notice their wings near doors and windows, discarding them as they begin to build their nest. The wings are often the first sign of termites in a home.
4. Wood Damage
Termites feed on the cellulose in the wood. As they eat, you may see visible wood damage in your home or in your furniture that mimics the patterns of a maze. The damage can be severe enough to weaken the structure of the wood and cause collapses if left untreated. If you’re noticing unexplained wood damage, termites may be the culprit, and you should contact a professional to inspect your home.
5. Hollow Wood Elements
If you notice that the wooden elements of your home (like baseboards or door frames) sound hollow, you most likely have termite damage. Termites will eat the wood of your home from the inside out, so the wooden structures of your home will be their first target most of the time. You might also notice blisters on the wood. To check for this type of termite damage, tap on the walls of your home and listen for it to sound hollow or crumble.
6. High Moisture & Mold
High moisture levels can cause the wood in your home to become water-damaged and even grow mold. Rotting, water-damaged wood can become the ideal environment for all sorts of pests, especially termites. So if you’re noticing signs of high humidity and mold growth in your home, a termite inspection may also be beneficial.
7. Live Bugs during Remodeling
Sometimes, all the signs of termites can be hidden, especially in the early stages of an infestation. However, it’s common for homeowners to discover live bugs in their homes when they begin remodeling their homes—and oftentimes, termites will be the culprit. If you’re remodeling and your contractors inform you of bug activity, you’ll want to have a pest control technician inspect for termites.
8. Damage Drywall or Wallpaper
Drywall and wallpaper both have paper materials in them. So if an infestation is severe enough, you may notice wall damage or bubbling in your wallpaper. The termites will eat the paper materials on your walls, weakening the structure or causing deformities. If you’re noticing this, the infestation is rather severe, and you’ll need treatment quickly.
9. Decaying Wood Outside
While the most important signs are inside your home, you won’t want to neglect checking your yard. Dead or decaying wood in your yard can quickly become a gateway to a termite infestation inside your home, especially if the wood is near or touching your home. We recommend you regularly prune any wooden plants in your home and remove dead or dying trees to avoid creating an ideal environment for termites.
Evict Termites from Your Home with Clint Miller
No one wants termites in their home. They can be difficult to get rid of and cause a lot of damage in their wake. With Clint Miller Exterminating, you can keep these pests out of your home for good! Whether you just want an inspection, regular preventative treatment, or active treatment for a current issue, contact Clint Miller Exterminating to get rid of the pests in your home and live damage-free!
