Pest Control Advice

Termite infestation is one of the things that homeowners fear the most. Unfortunately, not many people understand the clear signs that there could be termites in the home, and they only realise that they have a problem when the house is almost crumbling. Termites know how to hibernate and make their nests in the parts of the home which are mostly hidden, so it can take years before you sniff them out. Damage caused by termites in the home normally costs a lot of money to repair. Here are some of the signs that you should always look for to determine whether your home is infested with termites.

Termite shelter tubes

Some termites use soil to create shelter tubes and tunnels which run across the exposed parts of the home. These tubes start from the ground and spread across walls and other structures. The termites create these tubes to hide from predators and also to maintain the dark and moist environment that is ideal for them to store their food. Another related sign is subterranean tunnels. The tunnels can be quite deep, and they can have a very large radius. The presence of these around your property is an indication that there could be a nest close by. 

Earthen packing

If your house has timber finishing, you may notice earthen packing on the surface of the wood. When termites are working inside wood, they produce a certain earthen packing which resembles mud. The most common places where you will find this packing is on the foundation walls and joints. If you have been noticing deposits of what looks like dark brown mud around the basement and other wooden structures, you may have termites.

Termite frass, wings and similar debris

Termite droppings are also called frass. They are tiny, greyish pellets which you will find around the areas that termites inhabit. The presence of these droppings, which are usually in tiny heaps around the home, is an indication that there are termites in the home.

Wings are usually found on swarmers or the reproductive termites. Sometimes when these termites are flying to find new colonies, their wings come off and drop around the house. If you have debris such as frass and wings, consider calling in a termite specialist to inspect the home.

Catching termites in time could save you thousands of dollars worth of damage to repair. Consult a pest control expert to learn about termite treatment options.