7 signs you might have termites in your home

If you’ve seen little holes in your walls or perhaps a new beam of light leading from one room into the next, it might be time to check for termites. Termites don’t always cause damage and ruin homes, but sometimes they do because they can cause issues whilst remaining unseen.

If you’re concerned about termites, there are several key signs to look out for that could be warning flags for termite infestation.

Signs of termite infestation

Termite infestations are a serious problem, but you might not realize it until the damage has already been done. The following signs can help you catch termites before they cause too much damage.

1. Mud Tubes

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One of the signs of termite infestation is mud tubes. These tubes allow for a direct route from an area where there is plenty of moisture. These are small tubes that the termites build to connect their nests with their food source, and they can be found on the surface of your home. You may also see them around your house if there is a lot of moisture or dampness in the air.

You should always keep an eye on these tubes, because they can expand into bigger holes if left unchecked. If you notice any new holes in your walls or floors, you should call a professional immediately to do an inspection and get affordable termite protection. The professionals can also share some secret tips to prevent future infestation.

2. Signs of Wood Damage

Wood damage is a sign of termite infestation. Termites are small, wingless insects that can be seen by the naked eye. They’re usually grey or brown and about 1/8″ long. They eat wood, so if you see any holes or soft areas in your home’s wooden structure, it’s likely that termites are responsible.

Termite infestations are usually found in groups of two or more insects. These groups can be called colonies because they contain many individual termites that work together to find food and care for the queen and young nymphs. The queen is responsible for laying eggs, which helps keep the colony growing.

If you notice wood damage in your home, it’s important to have it inspected by a professional before repairs begin. If there are already termites in your home, they will continue to destroy wooden structures until they’re removed completely from your property.

3. Stuck Doors and Windows 

Wooden doors and windows can be at risk from termites

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If your doors or windows stick, it could be a sign that termites have been eating away at the wood around them. This is because termites eat wood from the inside out, so even if you don’t see any holes in your walls yet, there may be dried mud around the edges of your door frames or window jambs. It may also be possible to see mud tubes on the walls or floor that have been built by the pests as they move from place to place.

4. Termite Swarms

The most important thing to understand about termite swarms is that they are not just one or two of your pesky little friends coming to say hello. Termites swarm when they want to find a new home, and that means you might have a nest of them living right under your nose.

This can be extremely dangerous for your home, so it’s important to take action as soon as possible when you see this behaviour from your termites. Swarming is one of the first signs that your house has been infested by these destructive pests, but it can also be one of the most difficult to detect without professional help from an exterminator. The good news is that once you know what to look for and where, you can keep an eye out for signs of termite infestation yourself and save yourself thousands in unnecessary repairs and replacements!

5. Sawdust Piles On The Floor

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If you see sawdust piles on the floor in areas where there are no visible leaks or cracks, it might mean that you have termites. If a termite colony is nearby, these insects will secrete formic acid from their bodies as they move along their galleries (tunnels) within your home’s structure. The formic acid destroys the lignin in wood and causes it to release moisture which makes it easier for them to eat through it.

They also use saliva with enzymes that allow them to digest cellulose more efficiently than other insects such as ants. This saliva dries up quickly so they will leave behind small piles of sawdust when they move along their tunnels inside your home’s walls or floors.

Conclusion

No-one wants to think about termites, but it’s important to keep a lookout for these signs early on. It starts with getting a close look at the exterior of your home to identify the types of signs mentioned above. If you see any, you could look inside your wall spaces and crawl spaces with the help of a professional. Fortunately, despite the problems that termites can create, there are solutions to get rid of them or prevent them from coming back. Sometimes even proactive measures like sealing up walls and protecting wood in basements can do the trick.

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