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Small, hard to detect, and dangerously ruthless, termite infestations can devastate the structural integrity of homes, office buildings and garages. By the time these voracious insects are finally detected, they may have already eaten you out of your home by continuously feeding on the wood and soft fittings of your building and furniture.
In the case of a termite infestation, early response by a professional exterminator is essential to limit the damage to your home or building. This makes it very important to identify the presence of termites as quickly as possible and call an exterminator to help you get rid of them before they cause more damage.
Termite infestations can be hard to spot until they reach a critical mass and start to swarm outside your home. Thankfully, termites do leave signs of their presence well before they start to swarm. With careful attention, you can use these signs to identify a potential infestation and call an exterminator before the problem progresses. Here are a few clues to watch for.
1. Mud Tubes
Termites travel through mud tubes on their journey into your home. These earthen tunnels serve as a passageway into your home, usually through the ground. If you notice any mud tunnels extending up your exterior walls, it is time to call an exterminator.
2. Wood Shavings
As termites feed on your wood and furniture fittings, they leave behind tiny scraps of wood-colored pallets around their feeding areas. Call an exterminator right away if you notice wood shavings in your building, particularly near walls or furniture.
3. Termite Wings
Termites shed their small wings often as they try to gain entry into your home through tiny entry points. These wings are translucent and highly veiny. Shed wings are an important indicator of the presence of termites. It is a good idea to call in the exterminator if you find termite wings in or around your home.
4. Termites
Termites are frequently mistaken for ants because of their similarities in appearance. However, there are notable differences by which you or a professional pest exterminator can identify them. For instance, while ants have their antennae bent at a 90-degree angle, and have longer front wings than hind wings, termites have straight antennae and equal-sized wings.
King and queen termites are arguably the easiest to identify. Unlike the wingless soldier and worker termites that make up over 90% of the colony, queen and king termites bear equally-sized, -shaped and -veined front and hind wings. These are the most identifiable features of termites, whose Latin name, Isoptera, means “equal wings.” If in doubt, capture or take a clear photo of your unwelcome guest so your exterminator can identify it. No matter what the type of infestation, an exterminator can rectify the problem before it becomes more severe.
5. Water Damage
Swollen floors, mildew smell and buckling wood aren’t always signs of a leaky pipe; they could very well indicate the presence of termites. An exterminator can help confirm the presence of termites in the case of suspicious water damage. The exterminator can then take the necessary actions to ensure the termite colony is fully removed.
Our pest management professionals have been trained to quickly spot and identify termites and get them off your property. Note that the longer these unwanted guests linger, the more damage they cause to your home and the more money you will have to spend on repairs when they’re done. Should you notice any signs of a possible termite infestation, call in a professional exterminator right away for suitable corrective action.