3 Signs of Termites in the Home
A termite infestation isn’t always obvious, so you may not know about one until there is substantial damage to your property. Because of this, it’s smart to hire a professional for a termite inspection. Termites damage the structure of your house and repairs are often costly. If enough damage is done, your home may be unsafe to live in until repairs are made. Learn about these signs of termites and take action against these destructive pests.
How to Detect Termites in the Home
The ease of detection depends on the structure of your home, the size of the infestation, and the type of damage that has occurred. Even if you don’t see any of these individual signs, it’s helpful to hire a termite professional to inspect for other clues. Here are some of the signs of termites in the home.
Spotting Termites
Some types of termites look like white ants. Termites and ants often look alike from a distance and even have similar behaviors at times. Since there is no such insect as a white ant, you are seeing termites.
There are also flying termites or swarms. These are termites that have left their homes to find a mate and start a colony of their own. You may find hundreds of discarded wings on the ground or around window sills. Termites discard their wings after they have settled into a new home because they no longer need them.
Seeing a swarm of flying termites may not mean they have chosen your home specifically, but that they are nearby. It’s important to have a professional take a look when you notice these insects around your property.
Hollow Wood
Termites eat wood from the inside out, leaving it damaged and weak. One of the common signs of termites in the home is wood that sounds hollow when knocked upon. This is the kind of destruction that can cause your wooden floors to collapse. You might also notice cracks or fissures in wood. If you notice fissures, tap the wood to see if it sounds hollow.
Mud Tubes Can Mean Termites in the Home
Termites build mud tubes to tunnel closer to a food source. The tunnel protects the insects and gives them easier access to your home. You might notice mud tubes on the side of your home or near the foundation.
The signs listed above are the most common, however, these signs of termites in the home may be obvious because they’ve already settled in and caused problems. If you notice any indications of insect damage, contact a termite inspector right away.
Inspection Wizards offers wood-destroying insect evaluations during a property inspection. If you’re buying or selling a home in the Atlanta area, contact us to request an appointment.