Termites are seemingly harmless pests, but they can cause structural damage if you don’t timely address the problem. As a property owner, you should be able to detect warning signs at the onset before it’s too late.
If you can identify a termite problem early on, it can save you from spending your hard-earned money on extermination and repair.
Here are some telltale signs of termite infestation:
1. Mud Tubes
One of the commonplace termite activities is mud tube. These tubes are the food source used to travel mid-soil. Mud tubes are attached to the foundation of any structure. These tubes protect termites, but you can easily spot them.
Subterranean termites build these tubes from the soil and their droppings to keep them moist. Eliminate a moisture-rich environment to avoid attracting more termites. You should also store your wood chips, firewood, and mulch away from your home.
2. Hard-To-Open Doors and Windows
If your windows or doors are too tight and hard to open, it’s an early sign of dampness. Your doors and windows warp and become stiff due to termites. They produce moisture when tunneling through window and door frames and while eating. This causes wood to warp, making it difficult to open windows and doors.
3. Clicking Sounds
Do you hear a clicking sound? Termites shake or bang their heads when their colony is at risk of danger. It’s a way to communicate disturbance to other termites.
Some termites eat woodwork which creates chewing noise. If you listen closely, you’ll hear chewing noise coming from the wood. It’s a sign of termite infestation in your woodwork.
4. Blistering or Hollow Wood
Hollow-sounding and blistering wood are one of the signs of termite infestation. Since they munch on wood inside out, they leave a thin veneer or the paint on the outside. When you tap or knock on the damaged area, you’ll hear a papery or hollow sound. It’s because all or part of the timber has been eaten away.
Apart from that, you may also detect cracks on the walls. Termites also consume cellulose in timber. Any visible crack within the walls indicates termite activity. Your rafters, beams, wooden ceilings, and architraves are equally at risk of structural damage at the hands of termite activity. Make sure you look for cracks on cornices and ceilings. If you find sagging or blistering on baseboards and laminated floors, it’s also a sign of termite activity.
5. Frass
Frass is the key telltale sign of termites. It’s a wood-colored termite dropping. Most people confuse it with sawdust. This termite infestation indicator can only be inspected by professionals to determine whether it’s frass or sawdust.
You can hire Clearview Environmental Sciences Inc. for science-based and environmental pest services in Bayonne, NJ. As the most professional termite exterminators in town, we offer termite treatment services using all-natural and organic products. Schedule your appointment with us today!