Signs of a Termite Infestation
If you think you may have a termite infestation in your home, it is important to be able to identify the signs. Termites can cause a lot of damage to your home if they are not treated, so it is important to catch them early. It is reported that these insects can cause over five billion dollars worth of destruction each year. To make sure you are not included in this, look for signs of termite damage, including:
- Mud Tubes
- Discarded Wings
- Wood Damage
- Bubbling Paint
How Do I Identity Termites?
Before assessing if you have an infestation, it is important to understand what termites look like. These pests are blind, so they are only looking for their next meal when bumping into random objects. The random object just may be your home. Similar in size and characteristics to an ant, there are 3 different types of termites to look out for. These include:
- Winged Termites - 2 sets of wings, usually dark brown or black.
- Worker Termites - No wings, same antennae
- Soldier Termites - No wings, noticeable pincers
Mud Tubes
Also known as shelter tubes, subterranean termites will build mud bridges between colonies and travel through as they continue to eat the wood from your home. The mud tubes can be found near the foundation of your home, and they look like small dirt particles. If you find one, break it open to see if there are any termites inside.
If you do not find any termites inside, then the best thing to do is create a barrier along your foundation using insecticide or something similar as suggested by an exterminator. They will also be able to tell you where exactly to place this barrier because these creatures are more likely than others to enter your home through cracks in the walls or other areas that aren't protected properly.
Discarded Wings
Possibly the easiest sign of a termite infestation, they will shed their wings after taking flight to start a new colony. If you encounter any of these wings around the foundation of your home, chances are you have a termite issue. These swarmers are from an underground colony and if you are finding most of the wings outside, they have probably made a home in your yard close to any woody trees or infrastructure. If you happen to see these wings inside your home, you most likely have an infestation in the foundation of your home and will want to make sure this problem is taken care of. Knowing whether or not the termites are under your foundation or in your yard will go a long way in deciding how to handle the issue. Finding the wings is a great indicator of what to do.
Wood Damage
The best way to figure out whether you have a termite issue or not is from wood damage. There are 2 different types of wood damage that can occur from an infestation. These are wet rot and dry rot.
- Wet Rot- Wet rot is a form of wood damage caused by termites. This type of damage occurs from the termite colony living in the damp soil around your home. These types of colonies are very common in moist areas and can be found under houses, on patios, or on other structures that sit close to the ground.
- Dry Rot – Dry rot mainly occurs when you have an active infestation going on inside your home because this kind of wood damage will only occur if there's excessive moisture present with high humidity levels which cause fungi growth and dry out over time. The main signs to look for when looking at dry rot are cracks along beams or joists where they meet studs as well as mold spores.
Bubbling Paint
Bubbling paint is another common method of deciding whether you have a termite infestation or not. If a termite is feeding on the wood that sits right behind a coat of paint, this can lead to moisture getting behind the paint and cracking. The last thing anyone wants is mold growing behind their wall due to water leaking through cracks caused by them feeding on wood beams inside, and this is exactly what can happen. You should also check for signs like bubbling paint around doors and windows if possible to make sure these areas are termite-free.
How to Get Rid Of Termites
Termites can cause some serious damage, so it is important to take care of the issue as soon as possible. There are DIY options to get rid of termites that included spot treatments, essential oils, baits, and direct chemicals, but the fastest way to eliminate these pests will be by contacting your local pest control company. D-Bug Pest Control has been exterminating pests for over 80 years now and they have a background in termite treatment. Our technicians service Johnstown, Greensburg, and other surrounding cities in Western Pennsylvania.