Look for Signs of Termites in the Home
Here are some of the more common signs you have termites hiding in your walls. If you suspect an infestation, call a professional for an inspection and for help mitigating the problem.
1. Discarded Wings from Swarming Termites
Termite colonies are always growing. At some point, to allow for further growth, the colony will swarm. Some of the termites grow wings and leave the nest to find a new place to colonize. After termites mate, they discard their wings and start a new colony. You may actually see a swarm of insects. If not, you might notice the wings they leave behind.
2. You See Tiny White Ants
If you find tiny, white insects inside your home, you have termites. White ants don’t actually exist. Termites are pale while and somewhat translucent because they don’t spend a lot of time in the light. They stay in dark, damp spaces, like beneath the flooring or in the walls.
3. Soft Wood
One of the most obvious signs of termites at home is wood that has been hollowed out. Termites eat wood from the inside. Over time, the colony will create large hollow tunnels.
The outside of the wood may not show any sign of damage. However, if you press on the surface, it collapses. The surface of termite-damaged wood is thin and only maintains its shape because there’s no external pressure.
4. Sometimes You Can Hear Termites in the Home
An unexpected sign of termites at home is the noise they make while eating. If you’re hearing soft clicking noises coming from inside your walls, it may be the sound of termites.
Termites warn the colony of danger by banging their heads against the wood or shaking their bodies. These aren’t loud noises and are often drowned out by the everyday sounds around the home. However, at night, when the household is quiet, the clicking noises can sometimes be heard.
5. Piles of Frass
Termite droppings are called frass. This is one of the most obvious signs of termites at home. Frass is a powdery substance that’s found close to tiny holes in the woodwork. It may appear in a tiny mound outside an area where termites are working. Piles of frass are a sure sign that you have insects in your home.
If you suspect that you have termites in your home, call a pest control expert as soon as possible. The faster you address the termite issue, the less damage they can do to your property.
Digs Doctor Home Inspections provides home inspection services, including wood-destroying insect inspections, to Charlotte and the surrounding areas of North and South Carolina. Contact us to request an appointment.