Signs of termites: Here are the things you need to look out for
Every homeowners knows that a termite infestation inside the home is bad news. Termites can cause major damage and headaches. Saving your property requires vigilance and early detection. You need to know the major signs of termites in your home—especially during the mild winters here in Arizona, when termites remain active.
If you suspect that your home is playing host to termites—or you observe any of the signs of termites listed below—schedule your free inspection with the pros at KY-KO. When it comes to termites, it’s often better to be safe than sorry.
The 5 big signs of termites in your home
Here are the five big signs of a termite infestation in your home during the winter. If you see any of these telltale signs of termites, you should immediately call our team.
1. Mud tubes
The most visible sign of a termite infestation are the mud tubes they create. These tubes, primarily made of dirt, help the termites move to their food source. The tubes protect the termites and maintain a humid and warm environment for the storage of food.
There are two places where you should keep an eye out for tubes:
- Your foundation slab: Check the outside of your foundation slab periodically. Subterranean termites cannot eat through the slab, so they have to travel up it via mud tubes to get to the frame of your house. If you see distinctive mud tubes here, it’s time to call KY-KO.
- Your attic: Termites like attics here in Phoenix because they’re a source of accessible, exposed wood in a relatively undisturbed place. Look for mud tubes branching out between beams: this is how some termites travel from beam to beam.
Keep in mind that other mud tubes might be out-of-sight and out-of-mind behind walls, furniture, or parts of your garage. The best way to know for sure whether you do or do not have termites is to call KY-KO for your free inspection.
2. Audible tapping
In heavily infested areas, you can hear an audible tapping. The tapping sound is made by the soldier termites as they tap their mandibles on the wood. This is to signal other termites that the colony is occupied. LISTEN TO AUDIBLE TAPPING
If you hear audible tapping, you should contact a professional termite extermination company immediately for inspection and extermination of the termite colony.
3. Tiny holes in the wood
Look at the wood beams in your attic or elsewhere where you can see them. Are they exhibiting signs of tiny holes or other damage? That rarely happens naturally. More likely, it’s the work of termites.
However, you may not always see holes in wood. That’s because termites work from the inside-out, carving their way through wood without breaking back out to the surface. In that case, you need to keep an eye out for…
4. Hollow wood
Since termites eat away the interior of wood beams before breaking through to the surface, you can sometimes tap on the wood to hear if it’s hollow inside. If the wood cracks, that’s an obvious sign that it’s been weakened by an infestation.
5. Termite droppings
Finally, look for the debris that termites leave behind. This can include both droppings and something called “frass” — basically, the wood debris that termites leave as they bore through the wood in your home. This will look like a pile of dirt or very fine wood shavings. The droppings of termites can also resemble tiny pellets.
Call KY-KO Pest Prevention for your free termite inspection
The day you notice termites in your home is already well past the point of their entry and damage. But, with effective termite service from KY-KO Pest, you can stop these destructive insects and limit their ability to harm your home.
BLOG: REASONS TO HIRE KY-KO FOR TERMITE SERVICES
That’s just one of the reasons you should call KY-KO. The other? Our free termite inspection. It’s the logical place to start if you even half-suspect you have termites, and our certified and experienced technicians can verify the problem and then work with you on a plan of attack.
To get started, give KY-KO a call or contact us online.