Catching termites early is key to protecting your home from damage. Here are five signs that your home is under attack from termites.
Termites create mud tunnels when they cannot burrow through an object. These mud tunnels are a strong sign that termite infestation has occurred. Usually these tunnels are found on the outside of dense structural material such as brick or concrete. Termites use these tunnels to protect themselves from predators and to stay in a humid environment as they travel between a food source and their nest.
The presence of winged termites indicates that there is an established termite colony nearby. When a termite colony reaches maturity it produces winged termites which spread and create new colonies.
Piles of termite wings near the access points of your home may mean termite infestation. When winged termites find a suitable location to start a new colony they discard their wings and begin laying eggs. If you find piles of termite wings it is usually a sign that a new colony is starting in your home.
Wood that sounds hollow or papery when tapped is a strong indicator of termite infestation. Termites eat wood from the inside out leaving a thin layer of timber or paint. Pressure against these areas will cause damage as the timber has lost its structural integrity.
When a termite colony is disturbed, the soldier termites bang their heads against the wood or vibrate their bodies to alert the other termites that danger is present. This can be heard as a faint clicking sound.