Early detection of a termite infestation is the key to preventing serious structural damage to your home. Termites are highly secretive creatures, however, which can make looking for termites challenging. In order to identify a termite infestation early, before any serious damage is inflicted, it is necessary to know the most common signs of termites. The following are some useful tips on how to look for termites in your home.
Swarming Insects
When a termite colony grows too large, winged reproductive insects will leave the nest and seek out a location for a new colony. If you spot a swarm of winged termites indoors or outdoors, you may have an infestation.
Piles of Insect Wings
When swarming termites find a suitable spot for a new nest, they will shed their wings. If you see piles of discarded termite wings inside your home, on your patio or in your yard, it is likely that you have a fledgling colony forming somewhere on your property.
Termite Shelter Tubes
As stated above, termites are highly secretive, and they don’t like to travel out in the open. For this reason, they build shelter tubes or tunnels to travel between your home and their nest. If you notice a suspicious mud-colored tube, break it open to look for individual termites. If you see termites, your house is definitely infested. Even if you don’t see individual insects when looking for termites, however, it is still wise to call for a professional termite inspection.
Blistered, Warped or Damaged Wood
Termites wreak havoc on a home’s timber. If you see blistered, warped or damaged wood, it is a good idea to get a termite inspection right away. A professional exterminator can advise you as to whether or not you have an infestation and also provide the most effective treatment solutions.
The best advice for how to look for termites is to learn about these and other signs of an infestation. It is also important to remember that if you see one termite, there are likely thousands – maybe even hundreds of thousands – more in the vicinity. It is never a good idea, therefore, to put off calling a termite control specialist if you see even one of these destructive pests in your home or yard. For more information on how to look for termites, or to receive a FREE termite inspection from the experts at ACTION Termite Control, call (877) 556-4131 now.
