Maintaining a home that is a safe haven and a refuge includes keeping out any unwanted pests. Some of the most common pests are termites. If a termite infestation goes untreated, the result can be extensive damage, expensive reconstruction bills, and the stress that comes with having insects set up colonies within your own home.
Knowing how to spot a possible infestation early on is key to treating the problem before it gets out of hand.
If you’re wondering how to know if you have termites, we’ve compiled a list of some of the more obvious signs to be aware of:
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1. How to Know if You Have Termites? Discarded Wings Are One Sign
One of the earliest signs of termites is the presence of broken or discarded wings around your property. When termite swarms age, the winged termites leave their nest to start their own colonies. Since their wings are no longer needed, they drop them.
These scattered wings should serve as one of the warning signs of termites. You’ll most likely spot wings in cobwebs or near windowsills. If you spot any termite wings in your home, you should contact a professional right away.
2. The Presence of Frass
Like any other pest, termites leave a clue of their presence in the form of droppings. Termite droppings are known as “frass”. What does frass look like? Frass pellets look like small black marks, no more than one millimeter in length. They resemble wood shaving or sawdust and are often mistaken for such.
Frass pellets are most frequently found anywhere in the home where wood is present.
3. Wood That Has Been Hollowed Out
One of the reasons a termite infestation can be hard to detect early on is because termites start eating wood from the inside out. So if you’re wondering how to know if you have termites, one thing you can keep an eye (or rather an ear!) out for is wood that sounds hollow. If you tap on a wood door or beam and it sounds hollow, this could be a sign of termite damage.
Call a termite exterminator to have your house inspected for termites.
4. You Actually Spot Termites
An obvious sign that you might have a termite infestation on your hands is if you spot a live termite inside your home. Termites can build nests both inside and outside your home. They can enter or exit your home from the soil or through cracks in your home’s foundation.
Should you spot any living termites on your property, indoors or outdoors, call a professional for removal.
5. Your Home Has Exterior Wood Damage
Any wood that appears to have been harmed on its surface could be the victim of a termite infestation. Any exposed wood is attractive to termites, especially if the wood is rotting.
Subterranean termites in particular are especially attracted to moist, damaged wood. They love to set up nests in dark, moist, rotting wood. If you have wood damage anywhere on your property, you should have it checked for termites as soon as possible.
Discover Other Useful Home Care Tips
Now that we’ve discussed how to know if you have termites, we invite you to learn more about how to keep your home well maintained by checking out some of our other helpful articles.
Whether you’re looking for advice on how to keep a well-maintained yard or how to decorate certain areas of your home, we’ve got you covered!
