A termite infestation on your property can cause severe damage to your home. The insects feed on cellulose found in all wood and paper products. A single colony of termites may consume more than one pound of material daily. Over time, an active termite nest can cause thousands of dollars in damage to the structure of your home. Keeping termites at bay should be a top priority for homeowners. Hire a pest professional for routine inspections and look for these signs of termites in the home.
Termite Droppings
Termites leave droppings known as “frass” that look like tiny pellets or grains of sawdust. These frass deposits might appear throughout the house but tend to accumulate in piles near windowsills, doors, baseboards, and other areas near wooden components.
Discarded Wings are Signs of Termites
Termites fly to leave the nest when searching for a place to establish a new colony. Once they find a potential new home, they shed their wings and work. If you see small piles of nearly translucent wings in or around your home, that is likely a sign these insects have moved into your house. Look for discarded wings in spider webs and on surfaces near your home’s foundation.
Signs of Termites: Structural Damage
Cracks in walls, sagging floors, warped flooring, and rotting timbers could mean an active termite nest nearby. Termites in the home will eat anything containing cellulose, such as cardboard boxes, books, newspapers, wallpaper, insulation, drywall, furniture, and so much more. They’ll destroy parts of supporting beams and joists, causing significant structural damage in a short amount of time.
Damp Basement
Another way to detect a termite problem is to check your basement walls for dampness. Termites love moist environments. Basements are prime targets for termites because they are damp compared to other areas of the home. Since termites are attracted to moisture, pay extra attention to areas around plumbing pipes for signs of activity. You might notice dark patches along the wall when inspecting these areas. While termites do not cause water stains, stains can indicate a prime environment for termite nests.
Termites in the home can cause serious issues for anyone who owns a property. While termite damage is fixable, it is costly and often not covered by standard homeowners insurance. Call a professional if you spot signs of an infestation before the situation worsens. A pest professional can advise you on eliminating termites from your house. Since neither treatment nor repairs are typically covered by insurance, it’s always best to look for signs of termites and prevent an infestation.
A Plus Inspections of Texas provides home inspections in Conroe, TX, and surrounding areas. Contact us to schedule an appointment.