Termites are among the most destructive pests to homeowners. They can cause untold damage to your home, including eating through the wood, causing cracks in walls and floors, and weakening structural integrity. Maybe a professional for pest control Austin can help you deal with the situation before it gets out of hand.
There are a few tell-tale signs that can alert you to infestations early on before they spiral out of control and cause major damage. When you notice a few of the signs below and they don’t go away, you might have an infestation on your hands. So, it’s a good idea to watch for these tell-tale signs and act quickly to get rid of them before they cause any more damage.
- Mud tubes
Termites create mud trails or tubes that they use to get around. These are usually found on the wood in the walls, especially near openings like pipes or chimneys. If you see these trails, you might have a problem. So, it’s a good idea to check these areas and if you find more, call a professional to inspect your home.
- Signs of wood damage
Also, if you notice signs of wood damage like cracking or rotting, it could be the result of termite activity. This can often be pretty obvious, so look for discoloration in your wood baseboards and trim. Also, check for moisture and look for things like bubbling paint, which can be an indication of moisture damage caused by termites.
- Stuck doors and windows
Another sign to watch for is doors and windows that get stuck occasionally. A sticking window or door is a sure sign of wood decay from termites eating through the wood. This can be dangerous and lead to structural weakness in your home, so it’s important to have it dealt with immediately.
- Termite swarms
When termites swarm, they will usually gather in your attic. So, if you see multiple insects in your attic space, it might be a result of an infestation. They also may leave small droppings that look like coffee grounds or sawdust where they land, so check for both of these things.
- Termite mounds
Termites will leave visible mounds of chewed wood chips and sawdust in their wake. This is a sign that they are around and can be seen in daylight with the naked eye. If you see this, look closely at your woody baseboards and trim to see if you can spot damaged areas.
