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Presence of Swarms or Their Discarded Wings
This sign is the easiest to spot. These are flying termites that left their nests to search for mates. They fly over great distances to establish a new colony. Subterranean termites will usually emerge during spring, after the last freeze. They go out at night and light sources attract them. You often see those swarming street lampposts or your outdoor light. If you want to know whether or not termites infest your home, you need to look for their discarded wings. You usually find it near windowsills and doors. The termites shed their wings once they find a suitable mate, and that means that there’s a possible subterranean termite nest already budding in your home.
Strange Wall Sounds
You can notice subterranean termite activity when you hear odd noises coming from behind your walls. Soldier termites shake their bodies or bang their heads against the wood. It warns other termites about colony disturbances. Subterranean termites can detect the slightest vibrations and noises. It allows them to scurry off at the first sign of danger. Worker termites are noisy eaters. If you press your ear against possible termite-infested wood, you’ll hear the sounds they make while chewing through the material.
Hollow or Papery Wood
When you tap wood and it sounds hollow and looks papery, it might be a sign of a subterranean termite infestation. These pests eat wood from the inside, which leaves a thin veneer of wood or paint. You need to look for blistering pieces of wood to ascertain the presence of the bugs.
Mud Tubes and Galleries
The most destructive species of termites build mud tubs for moisture when they move between their colony and food source. Most of the time, you can find these tunnels near your house’s foundation. Termite tunnels, more known as galleries, are hard to see from the wood surface. Look for wood with exposed surfaces around your home. You’ll most likely see these tunnels and know for sure that there’s a termite infestation in your home.
If you want to find infestations in a more efficient manner, we can help. We use special equipment to look for hidden tunnels. Some of these include:
- Borescope
- Electric Odor Detector
- Sniffer dogs
It’s a good investment, especially if you plan to sell your home later. Most buyers will require you to do termite inspections in your home. It’s better to deal with the problem as soon as possible before it gets worse.
Hard-to-Open Windows and Doors
Humid weather often makes doors and windows hard to open because of warping. If you want to make sure, you need to check it for termite infestation. Subterranean termites produce moisture whenever the build tunnels through your door and window frames. The moisture buildup makes the wood warped and thus harder to open. It leads to other safety issues since it’s easier for home intruders to pry your doors open with crowbars and other similar tools. With its structural integrity compromised, the door might fall on you when you force it open.
How to Prevent Subterranean Termites Infestation
Sometimes, the best way not to deal with an infestation is to avoid it. There are some ways you can do to make your home less attractive to termites. Here are some:
Use More Concrete
When you construct your home, you can opt to use more concrete on it instead of wood. Sure, the former isn’t as attractive and as rustic as the latter, but it’s a small price to pay. If you still want some wood for your home, make sure there’s a small ventilation space between the wood and the soil. Make sure that you cover all your house’s exposed wooden surfaces with sealants or metal barriers.
Get Termite Prevention Features
After you finish your home’s construction or renovation, use proper grading and drainage to keep the soil around its foundation dry. Maintain your gutters and downspouts and fix any leakages as soon as you can. Keep your vents unblocked by clearing debris and plants that grow near it. Your house shouldn’t have any close trees and shrubs. These should never grow near the exposed wooden surfaces of your home. The similar is true for firewood and wood debris since they might contain termite-infested surfaces that can crawl its way to your home. Fill the cracks in your cement foundations to reduce termite-accessible openings. It goes to the surfaces around where your utilities pass through. It doesn’t matter whether it’s cement, grout, or caulk.
Check Your House for Subterranean Termites Today!
A termite infestation can pose a serious problem for your home. These pests can chew through your wood, flooring, and your wallpaper without getting noticed. You need to check your home every now and then, looking for these signs. If you’re concerned about your home, you need the help of a professional pest control business. Termite pest control is especially important when you’re in Florida because the humid weather makes it easier for termites to start colonies. We’re a fully licensed and insured company that follows government standards when it comes to the products we use for extermination. Our certified technicians have an ongoing education to stay on top of the pest control know-how. We’re committed to deliver high-quality service and help make your home pest-free. Got more questions? Want to get rid of a termite problem with no fuss? Contact us today!
