Termites are a problem in 49 states and have been found to cause around $5 billion in property damage each year. You can avoid becoming a casualty by knowing what signs to look for, so you can remedy the situation before it gets out of hand. Here are some signs that your home might have termite damage.
Hollow Wood
Termites often eat into the wood, behind walls or under the floors, so you might not always see their damage. They create long tubes through the wood that weaken the structural integrity, making the wood soft and spongy. Additionally, because they remove so much of the wood, you’ll notice that the sound of you walking on the floor changes, and when you tap on the wall, it sounds hollow.
Evidence of a Swarm
If you notice a lot of tiny wings littering access points to your home, they are likely termite wings. Termites remove their wings after they swarm and find a new place to start a colony because they won’t need them anymore. You can know that they are termite wings because they’re all the same size, as opposed to ants, who have smaller wings in the rear.
You also might see actual termites. If you notice them outside your home or find above-ground termite nests on your property, you will want to call a professional as soon as possible. If you live in a heavily wooded area, you might have termites that eat the dead, rotten wood from fallen trees, but you need to make sure they aren’t eating your home.
Mud Tubes
Examine the ground around your home and look for small mud tubes. Some termites nest under the ground and have to crawl up to find their food, which is usually the wood in your home or structure on your property. Make sure you closely examine the ground where it meets your siding or foundation to see if you have the mud tubes.