Signs of Termite Activity
How do I know if I have termites? Here are a few things to look for when determining if termites are in your home or business.
Are you worried about termites in your home?
Termites eat 24-hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week. The best defense against termite infestation is a good offense. A Termite Control plan, with Sigma Pest Control, is a sure-fire way to beat those pests where they live … under the ground.
Know the signs
Termites are subterranean – which means they don’t get sunlight. As a result, they look larvae like and white, kind of like a white ant. Unlike ants, termites are white and creamy with a translucent appearance. Keep in mind that there is really no such thing as a white ant. If you spot a ‘white ant’ around your house it probably means you have a termite problem.
The trouble with termites is that they work behind the scenes. You don’t see what they are doing because the damage is taking place below and behind surfaces, walls, floors, and more. Termites chew through wood looking for cellulose (food), leaving grooves and trails in the wood. This eventually weakens the wood much like drilling a bunch of holes would.
Termites poop too! Termites don’t use their feces to build tunnels. They like a clean space to work in. Tunneling through wood doesn’t leave much wiggle room. To keep the path clear, termites will create kick-out holes by which to dispose of their excrement. As these pit-stops fill up with excrement, it becomes a tell-tale sign that they are active.
Mud Tubes are pencil-sized tunnels, usually found outside where your house meets the ground. Termites nest underground, in the dark, and must come to the surface to find their food source. The tunnels act as a shield from the excessive heat/cold and humidity.
Not to be overlooked
While we identified five common termite signs, there are still many more to be aware of. Here are just a few:
- Stuck windows or doors
- Squeaky floors and floorboards
- Crumbling wood and drywall
- Loose tiles
- Buckling wood and laminate floor tiles
- Small pinpoint holes in the drywall
- Peeling paint that looks like water damage
The last word ...
If left untreated, termites can seriously weaken the wood within your home (floors, walls, joists, timbers, frames) leading to possible collapse and costly repairs. Every home with a wood structure should be actively protected from termites. If you see any one of the signs mentioned in this post, call Sigma Pest Control – 540-94-SIGMA – for a free inspection (WDI inspections do not apply).
Thanks for explaining that signs of termites need to be addressed right away, since the damage will get more expensive the longer that it’s left unattended. My husband and I recently noticed some signs of damage around our wooden window frames, and it looks like it might be due to termites. I’m glad I read your article because now I know why it’s important to find a termite control service to take a look as soon as possible.
these signs are real & one must get exterminator while these signs are appeared.
Hello! Thanks for this information. Termites mostly feed on dead plant material and cellulose, generally in the form of wood, leaf litter, soil, or animal dung. Termites are major detritivores, particularly in the subtropical and tropical regions, and their recycling of wood and plant matter is of considerable ecological importance.
It was nice of you listing that small pinpoint holes are a sign of a termite infestation. My brother recently removed a dead stump, and he has noticed small holes in the drywall and wood trim. I will suggest him calling a pest control company to exterminate the infestation.
I like what you said about checking for termites if your windows and doors stick. My sister wants to make sure that her home is free of pests in the coming weeks. I’ll share this information with her so that she can look into her options for pest control professionals who can help her with this.
I never knew that a stuck door or window is a sign of termite issue. The other day my mom shared that her windows get stuck often. I will ask her to get in touch with a termite service to settle her issues.
I didn’t realize that there is no such thing as a white ant, and if you see one, it is a termite. We are looking to buy a new home, and want to have it inspected for termites. I will have to walk around, and see if I notice any white termites.