Although termites have been known not to bite, they have the ability to destroy a beautiful and even cause it to lose stability and fall. Whenever termites invade, they do so in a swarm of many soldiers who can take only a few months to bring the house down. This would be catastrophic, but you can stop it from happening. Professionals advise that you exterminate them before they multiply and turn your house into their feed. However, you should have the required knowledge to know when they invade your home. Below are some ways you can conduct a termite inspection and then contact professional termite exterminators to assist you wipe them out.
Termite droppings
Everything that consumes always excretes. Termites too are no exceptional. Termites’ excrement looks like a smooth dust of charcoal. In most cases, the excrement will vary in color from the type of the wood the termites consumed. The excrement looks like pellets, but because they are from an army of termites, they pile up. Whenever you notice such, take action because it is evident that termites have already infested your home.
Mud tunnels around the house
Termites live beneath the earth surface. This makes them untraceable, but at times they extend their habitats as they approach their feed. The mud tunnels are clear indication that there are termites already populating around your house. These tunnels not only house your enemy but also can trigger accidents when one steps on a hollow ground. Ensure you feel the tubes and exterminate the termites.
Damaged wood
Termites feed on wood. They evade from the inner part leaving slim outside wood cavities looking degraded and rough. With time, the wood loses firmness that may lead to house inclination. At some point, you may notice smooth wood dust, which is the termites’ leftovers.
Sagging ceilings or floors
When the termites make their way to the ceiling, which is made of cardboard, they start consuming it. Eventually, the ceiling loosens as the termites feed starting from the edges that later makes it to sag from loose joints. Further infestation by the termites may lead to the ceiling falling off. It is advisable to exterminate them from the source rather than from the ceiling as they will keep coming back.
Presence of swarmers
Swarmers constitutes of male and female termites flying around light source. They swarm around looking to initialize a new colony. They don’t necessary mean your compound is already invaded as they may have flown from a different habitat, but it acts to signify that soon you may be facing infestation problem. They drop their wings around. During the day, you can notice the wings and act accordingly.
Termites can cost you a fortune if not exterminated at the right time. Not being attentive of their presence may worsen the situation, but with the above tips on how to know that termites are invading your home, you don’t have any reason not to use the recommended pest control methods and be done with the problem once and for all.