So long as your home has parts made of wood, it will always be under the threat of a termite infestation—and these insects don’t need a lot of time to reduce your home to an empty shell. Fortunately, these tiny terrors do leave behind clues of their presence, enabling you to get rid of them. That said, be on the lookout for the following signs:
Discarded wings
Termites often discard their wings when they have found a new place to call home. You will typically find these discarded wings during the spring time, which is the mating season for certain types of termites. Be on the lookout for the actual insects as well.
Hollow-sounding structures
Tap the handle of a screwdriver gently on a piece of wood to check the presence of termites. Keep your ears open for a hollow sound coming from wooden objects. Perform this inspection often, especially if wood is frequently exposed to moisture.
Mud tubes
Mud tubes are typically a sign you have subterranean-type termites living under your home. The tubes serve as tunnels that keep the termites in the cool and damp environment they prefer. These are often found on exterior structures such as your porch.
If you notice any of the signs mentioned above, immediately call pest control services. After the termite problem has been resolved, do not hesitate to call a contractor to help assess the damage the termites have done. Depending on how quickly the termites were detected, you may need to have certain structures, such as the porch, repaired.
