If you are a homeowner, you know the importance of protecting your investment. One aspect that homeowners need to focus on is the presence of termites within a home or upon the property where it sits. If these pests are present, damage to the structure is a likelihood in the future. Here are signs of termites so you know when to contact a pest control service or turn to termite control tactics on your own to eradicate these pests.
Hollow Wood Inside Your Home
Termites harbor themselves in wood and gnaw away at it over time. Take the time to tap on wooden areas in your home using a hard item such as a hammer or screwdriver, taking care not to tap with too much force so damage is not sustained. Tap on wooden window frames, beams, and molding and listen for a hollow sound. This indicates that termites may have made their way inside.
Mud Covering Wood Portions
When termites infest a structure, they use mud in cracks of wood as a barrier. This ensures they remain safe inside while predators are blocked from gaining access to them. If you notice a dirt-like substance in cracks or along portions of wood in your home, contact a pest control service to conduct an evaluation to determine whether termites are indeed snugly living inside.
Left Behind Sawdust, Droppings, And Wings
In areas of the home where termites live, these insects leave behind clues of their presence. The most noticeable is piles of sawdust near wood that termites gnaw upon. Check the flooring closer in areas where sawdust is present to see if there are delicate wings that fell off insects or droppings, which are small specks that resemble pieces of wood.
The Sound Of Gnawing In Walls
Termites eat wood around the clock if they are present inside of your home. If you have a termite infestation, you can actually hear them eating wood if you listen hard enough. Place your ear up to a wall where you suspect termites are close by and listen for a sound that resembles the noise you hear when someone is cutting a piece of paper with scissors. This snipping sound indicates it is time to have an evaluation done to check for these pests.
Windows And Doors Are Harder To Open
If termites took up residence in the wood around a window or door, moisture content increases in these areas. This makes it more difficult to open or shut them as the wood expands from the water content present from within. If you used to have openings that worked without incident, and they suddenly become harder to use properly, termites may be the reason.
Contact a termite control company for more information.
