Group of termites

How to Tell if You Have Termites (And What to Do About It)

 

Termites can cause significant damage to your home if left unchecked, but they can be difficult to detect until the damage is already done.

Knowing the signs of a termite infestation can help you catch them early and take action before they compromise the structural integrity of your home.

Here are the key indicators that you might have termites.

Dealing with termites? Work with us for your termite control in Phoenix.

1. Mud Tubes

Termites build mud tubes to travel between their colony and their food source, which is often the wooden structure of your home.

These tubes, made of soil and termite saliva, provide the moisture termites need to survive.

You might find them on your foundation, walls, or crawl spaces. 

Check for pencil-width tubes spreading out like veins from the ground​.

2. Swarmers and Discarded Wings

Swarmers are winged termites that leave their colony to start new ones.

They usually appear in spring and are often mistaken for flying ants.

Swarmers have straight antennae and two pairs of wings of equal length. 

After swarming, they shed their wings, so finding piles of discarded wings around windows, doors, or other entry points can indicate a termite presence​​.

3. Hollow-Sounding Wood

Termites eat wood from the inside out, which makes detecting their damage difficult until it’s severe. T

ap on wooden structures in your home; if the wood sounds hollow or you can easily puncture it with a screwdriver, termites might be to blame.

Damaged wood may also have a honeycomb or maze-like pattern inside​​.

4. Blistering or Buckling Wood

If you notice your wooden floors blistering or buckling, it could be a sign of termites.

Subterranean termites can damage subfloor wood, causing visible blistering on the surface.

Similarly, if your doors and windows are suddenly hard to open or close, it might be due to termite damage causing the wood to warp​​.

5. Frass (Termite Droppings)

Drywood termites leave behind frass, which looks like small pellets or sawdust.

These droppings are pushed out of the wood by termites to keep their galleries clean.

You might find small piles of frass near wooden structures or windowsills​.

6. Visible Termites

Although less common, seeing live termites is a definite sign of infestation.

Termites are usually white or light beige and can be found when disrupting mud tubes or infested wood.

If you spot termites during renovations or other home improvements, it’s crucial to call a professional immediately​​.

What to Do if You Suspect Termites

If you suspect termites in your Phoenix home, avoid disturbing the area and look for key signs like mud tubes, hollow-sounding wood, or sawdust-like droppings.

Contact a licensed pest control professional immediately for a thorough inspection, as they have the expertise and tools to properly assess the situation and determine the extent of the infestation.

While waiting for professional help, you can take these immediate steps:

  • Fix any water leaks and ensure proper drainage around your home
  • Remove wood debris and keep firewood at least 20 feet from your house
  • Document any visible signs of damage for your pest control professional

Based on the inspection findings, your pest control expert will develop a customized treatment plan using proven methods like liquid barriers or baiting systems.

After treatment, maintaining regular inspections and monitoring is crucial for long-term protection of your home.

Dealing With Your Termite Problem Effectively

Termite infestations can be difficult to detect but knowing the signs can help you identify a problem early.

Mud tubes, swarmers, hollow or blistering wood, frass, and visible termites are all indicators of a potential infestation.

If you suspect termites, contact Great White Pest  Control for a thorough inspection and effective treatment plan to safeguard your home.

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