When Is It Too Late to Treat a Termite Infestation?
Understanding the signs of a termite infestation early on is crucial. It can save you thousands of dollars in-home repairs and keep the overall structure of your home sound. Most people are well aware that termites are drawn to wood. But, experienced termite companies like MightyMite Termite Services know that it’s not just wood you have to worry about with termites. Unfortunately, they can affect everything from the insulation in your walls to the books in your office! The worst part? Many people don’t even realize they have termites until significant damage has been done.
If a termite infestation is left untreated, it could literally bring your house down. The good news is termite signs can be easy to spot once you know what you’re looking for. Spotting a problem early on will make it easier to get the proper termite extermination your home needs. When you’re able to recognize some of the early signs of these invasive insects, you can end up saving your home and your wallet from serious damage.
What Are the Early Signs of a Termite Problem?
The best thing you can do for your home is to be aware of the earliest signs of an infestation. There are some clear indications you can look for around your home before major damage occurs. Some of the signs to look for in and around your house include:
Mud tunnels: Subterranean termites create ‘mud tubes’ or tunnels to connect them to their food sources. Try looking on nearby tree trunks, around your porch, or even in attic ceilings for these distinct tubes made of soil or dirt.
Tiny holes: Before any extensive damage is done, you might notice smaller issues with the wood around your house. Look for tiny holes in the wood. They may look like someone stuck a nail in and pulled it back out. Sometimes, they can be as small as a pinhole, so having a keen eye helps.
Droppings: One surefire way to know you have a termite problem is to look for droppings. Termite droppings often look like wood sawdust. So, if you notice a sawdust-like substance on the ground/floor, there’s a good chance you’re dealing with an infestation.
Broken wings: Termites can swarm from one area to the next. For example, a termite infestation coming from a nearby tree to your house will cause them to fly over. Once they safely land and start working on the wood around your home, their wings fall off. You might start to notice wings around the house, especially on windowsills.
Signs of a Termite Infestation
Unfortunately, many people miss the early signs of a termite infestation because they can be subtle. It’s not until noticeable damage starts to occur that termites become a real issue for the home. By the time some of these signs become visible to the naked eye, a lot of damage could already be done.
Once a termite infestation has taken over your home for a while, you’ll likely start to see more noticeable signs. Often, these include things like:
Tunneled out areas and pellets in the wood
Blistered/dark wood
Doors or windows that are hard to open or close
‘Solid’ wood that breaks or crumbles easily
A ‘bubbling’ appearance on the surface of the wood
Seeing the actual termites (sometimes referred to as white ants)
Termites Cause Damage from the Inside Out
Termites can also be deceiving because a lot of the damage they cause starts from the inside out. Even if the wood around your house looks solid and strong, it could be structurally unsafe. One way to test the health and strength of the wood is to tap on it gently using a hammer or screwdriver. If it sounds hollow, it’s likely been on the menu for an infestation of termites for quite a while.
Solid wood should make a thud sound when it’s tapped. It will be easy to tell the difference between wood that’s hollow and wood that is solid all the way through. When performing this termite test, don’t forget to check all the wood in your house, not just outside or on your porch. Areas like crawlspaces and attics can be prime targets for a termite buffet.
When to Have Your Home Inspected for Termites
Maybe the last time you had your home inspected for termites was when you first moved in. If that’s the case, it’s a good idea to get a periodic inspection from a professional company in the Bay Area every few years – even if you don’t notice any signs of damage! Termites can actually live in your walls for years (especially dry wood termites) before you start to see any issues.
Whether you think you have termites or you know you have termites, MightyMite Termite Services can provide you peace of mind. We offer a free inspection that will cover the entire area of your home. After our inspection, we’ll be able to give you a full report on whether you have an infestation and what we can do about it. The sooner an infestation is able to be caught, the less damage will be done to your home. That can end up saving you thousands of dollars and will keep your house in one piece.
What Is the Best Way to Treat a Termite Infestation?
There are many different ways to eliminate termites from your home. Some exterminators use things like harsh chemicals. While these products can work when it comes to getting rid of termites, they aren’t exactly environmentally friendly, and they can even be irritating to people who might have breathing issues like asthma, or allergies.
MightyMite prides ourselves on using pest control products that are strong and powerful, yet have less of an impact on the environment. Not only do these solutions work well for getting rid of termites, but they are also less invasive on you as the homeowner.