A termite infestation in your home can be devastating. Homeowners end up spending thousands of dollars in property damage every year as a result of this destructive pest. The key to avoiding this expensive problem is early detection. The more knowledge you have on the activity and signs of termites, the better you will be at catching an infestation before you find yourself drowning in expensive repairs. A-Tex Pest Management is here to share some tips to help you inspect your home for termite activity as well as explain some of the signs that are often present when you have a termite problem.
Signs of Subterranean Termite Infestation
There are several signs that are present when you have a termite problem on your hands. Here are some of the most common signs and the most obvious ones that are easily discovered by the untrained eye.
– Mud Tunnels: Subterranean termites live underneath the ground. They have to travel to their food source and create mud tunnels to do so. You will find these little mud tunnels usually constructed on the foundation of your home.
– Hollow Sounding Wood: Termites feed on the cellulose or wood your home is made of. As they do this, they create tunnels through the wood; leaving it hollow. When you knock on the wood, it will sound hollow.
– Tapping Noises: When termites sense danger, the workers start to bang their heads on the wood to alert the rest of the colony. This will sound like a tapping noise if you listen closely.
– Swarmers: These termites will leave a colony to start a new one if the colony is large. They are flying termites and found usually on warm days.
Inspecting for Termite Activity
You will need to first gather a bright flashlight and a screwdriver before you start the inspection process. Because Subterranean termites live in the ground, you will usually see the most activity at ground level. In extreme heat, you may find them on the upper levels of a house. To inspect your home, you will need to be willing to enter crawl spaces and basements. You will find their activity by probing wood with the screwdriver. Pay close attention to wood that is near soil as this is the most likely place they will be found. Here are the places you should look first.
– Wood construction found in crawl spaces and basements
– Wood under porches, window sills, support posts, sub floors, basement window frames
– Areas where concrete steps or porches meet with wood construction
– Wood on property such as firewood, fence posts and old tree stumps.
Termite Pest Inspections, Treatment, Control, Removal & More in Austin, Round Rock, Leander, Pflugerville & Cedar Park Texas
Finding termites on your own can be difficult when you don’t have the experience needed to draw your attention to the signs. The experts at A-Tex Pest Management have the training and equipment to effectively find and eradicate any sign of termite activity you may have. Call us today!