Termites damage approximately 6, 00,000 homes every year in the United States, translating into a monetary loss of $40 billion. The subterranean termites come along with spring, and the dry wood one emerges in the late summer. To prevent this vigorous loss, homeowners should be aware of the early signs of termite infestation so that they can seek help from the local pest control companies and get a professional termite inspection and treatment done.
Detecting a Termite Infestation – 5 Early Signs
Termite infestations can be detected in the early stage from the signs mentioned below.
Mud Tubes Accumulation in the Walls and Ceilings
Termites constantly maneuver through thin mud tubes, and when they invest in a home, such tubes will show up on the walls and ceilings. If one breaks them, the individual will be able to see termites thriving there.
Hard to Open Windows or Doors
Termites devour timber, and their excreta develop a protecting layer that absorbs moisture and heat. Due to this, timber swells, and the wooden doors and windows become hard to open.
Hence, when homeowners find their timber doors or windows unusually hard to open, they should consider getting a termite inspection done.
Damages Walls
When unexplained cracks appear on the internal walls, it may be an indicator of termite infestation. Termites consume cellulose found in timber within walls, which may result in visible cracks on the wall.
Roof Tiles Damage
Termites love broken or loose roof tiles, and they turn those moist corners in their sweet homes. Not only that, from roof tiles, they easily maneuver through the property and attack every wood content. If undetected, they may lead to severe property damage.
Flying Swimmers or Wings
Usually, termites are not very fond of sunlight, still, sometimes they come out, and one may notice those flying swimmers. In addition, when resident notices discarded wings on windowsills and floors, he/she should be sure about the presence of an indoor termite swarm.
Bulges or Ridges on the Wall
Bubbling or bulging in the home walls is usually mistaken for water damage. However, one should take them seriously as it may indicate a termite infestation. When termites expand their colonies behind the wallpaper, such bulges or ridges appear, and they should be immediately taken care of by a professional pest control agency.
Damage in the Property Foundation
This is probably the worst that termites can do. If the foundation of the home is made up of wood, termites eat them up, making it damages and weak and leaving the property at risk. However, luckily the concrete foundations are free from this risk as termites can’t eat concrete. But they can squeeze into the cracks of these concrete blocks and reach the floor joists, which are made up of wood.
To protect the foundation and floor joists from this risk, one can opt to lay a chemical termite barrier under the concrete slab. This will stop termites from squeezing and maneuvering through the foundation cracks.
Conclusion
The best way to save one’s property from the termites is a periodic termite inspection. Homeowners can get in touch with reliablelocal pest control companies and get their property inspected for termites. This will make the detection precise and help in identifying the necessity of termite treatments.