3 Signs Of A Potential Termite Infestation

Posted on: 7 January 2020

Share

Is your home located in an area of the country where termites live? How long has it been since you had your home inspected for these pests? Due to changing weather patterns, the expected range for termites keeps increasing every year. As a result, homes that used to be at the edge of or just outside of termite territory now need to be inspected on a regular basis in order to confirm that they are termite-free. Whether you're in such an area or your home has always been in termite territory, it's important to be aware of the potential symptoms of a termite infestation. This way, you can stay on guard in between professional visits. Some things that you should be watching for include:

Tapping noises: For being such small insects, termites can make a loud noise. Not only can you often hear a termite colony eating your walls from the inside out, but you may also hear odd tapping or rapping noises coming from within. In an attempt to ward off predators and to communicate within the colony, termite soldiers will smack their large heads against the tunnel walls. When you hear mysterious sounds emanating from your walls, chances are that you are in need of extra termite control protections. Contact your pest control professionals for assistance.

Odd smell: If it smells like your toilet is having issues or your sink is clogged, or there is an otherwise undefinable musty or mildew smell permeating your home but your plumber can find no issues, you may actually have an issue with termites. As a side-effect of their wood-eating, termite colonies tend to produce a musty odor. In most cases, you will probably hear the activities of the colony before any odor alerts you to the need for more termite control measures, but this isn't always the case. An odd smell should always be investigated just in case.

Crumbling structures: Modern wood planks are treated with various things to help ensure that they are not eaten by termites. Nevertheless, this protection doesn't last forever. If you put your hand on a fence, a doorframe, or a window sill, and you can feel the wood give beneath you and/or it sounds hollow when you tap on the structure, then you may have a termite control problem. While this could also indicate an issue with something like carpenter ants, the bottom line is that you should call in a professional to diagnose the issue and to eliminate any colony that might be eating away at your home.

Contact a local pest control service like Eary Termite & Pest Services for more information.