Each year, termites cause billions of dollars in damage to residential and commercial structures, and property owners spend more than two billion dollars treating the problem. 

Do you think you may have a termite infestation? If so, you need to act fast. How do you know if you have a termite infestation? Keep reading to find out!

1. Evidence of Swarms

If you spot any swarmers flying near or out of your home, this is a big indicator. Swarmers are winged adult termites that often fly in groups. You can find them near doors, windows, and other home-access points. 

These adults swarm out of the nest to mate and start a new colony.

2. Mud Tubes

Termites use saliva to glue their tunnels together for travel. These mud tubes are about pencil-width and spread out around the home’s foundation. They resemble veins.

You will typically spot these tubes where the ground touches your home or near any other food source like a shed or tree. Termites nest underground and forage their food source (which is typically your home’s structure).

Termites need certain temperatures and humidity levels to survive, and these tunnels help create that environment by blocking out the cold and dry air.

3. Hollowed or Damaged Wood

You will find termite-infested wood behind and below surfaces like floors and walls. The termites chew through wood looking for cellulose. They leave behind long groves, and these grooves weaken the wood over time and create structural damage.

If you have a termite-infested house, you will find hollowed wood that has an empty sound and resembles a honeycomb.

Your flooring may also blister if termites damaged the subfloor. It will look like your floor has water damage.

If you see any damaged wood, contact a professional immediately like greencitypestcontrol.com.

4. Droppings

Another sure sign of termite infestation is finding droppings or frass. This can be hard to spot right away since they are small, but if you know what you are looking for, you will find them.

Frass appears in large mounds. Each individual pellet is less than a millimeter, so they are tiny. Most mounds have droppings from multiple termites and may look like light-colored sawdust or powder. The droppings are usually wood-colored.

5. Discarded Wings

As termites mature, they get wings. As we mentioned above, they will leave the nest to find a mate and set up a new colony. Typically, swarmers are most active in the spring.

After the termites find a new home, they will twist off their wings and leave them behind. This means if you have a termite infestation you will notice piles of dried-out wings.

You will typically find these piles near window sills or door frames. Sometimes, they will also get caught in spider webs.

Think You Have a Termite Infestation?

If you notice any signs of termite infestation, you should act quickly. A pest control professional is trained to find the source and eliminate them before they do any additional damage to your home. If you are unsure, it’s best to contact a professional anyway to make sure you don’t have an infestation.

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