There are several pest types out there that can cause significant home or building damage, and termites are generally at or near the top of this list. The source of over $5 billion in damage in the US alone every year, termites are particularly worrisome because in many situations, they hide from plain sight and might not be detected for months or even years.
At A-1 Exterminators, however, we’re here to make sure this doesn’t happen to you. We offer high-quality termite inspections and termite control services, ensuring that your home or business stays healthy and structurally sound. Termites can be active year-round – let’s look at some of the primary signs that you might have termites present, plus how you can address them.
Swarmers
The top noticeable sign of termite presence and damage in a home or building is the formation and frequency of “swarmers.” This term refers to flying termites, which look a lot like ants but have also grown wings and are able to fly.
Think of swarmers as standard termites on steroids. They can move faster, obviously, but can also reproduce very quickly and will immediately begin to look for places to nest once they form. The spring is their most common time to take flight and look for new colonies, but this can happen at any point during the year if the infestation is bad enough. If you notice swarmers, or even their discarded wings, it’s almost a certain sign that you have a termite infestation and require exterminator services.
Hollow Wood
Termites are known to consume wood primarily, and this is usually because they prefer dark spaces to nest in. This means they generally don’t feed on the visible areas of the wood, preferring instead to hollow it out and move inside it.
If you’ve had termite issues before or have noticed any small potential signs, move through your home or building and knock on various wood areas. If areas that are not supposed to be hollow sound like they are, this could be because termites are inside and eating the wood. Check high-risk areas like doors, windows, furniture and hardwood floor areas first.
Mud Tubes
Another common sign of termites is long tubes located on foundation or pier surfaces, often in similar shape to a pen or pencil. They will be colored light brown in most cases. These are called mud tubes, and they’re telltale signs of subterranean termites, which are the most common type out there. If you see even a couple mud tubes anywhere, call our pros right away for a termite inspection.
For more on the signs of termites in your home or building, or to learn about any of our residential or commercial pest control services, speak to the pros at A-1 Exterminators today.
