Termites are tiny insects that leave a lot of destruction in their wake. The damage that termites can inflict on a home can be devastating. In fact, termite damage causes billions of dollars worth of damage to residential and commercial structures each year. It goes without saying that recognizing the signs of termite infestation can be crucial to preventing expensive structural damage to your home. Below is some advice on how to check for termites in and around your residence.
Identifying Termites
In order to check for termites in your home, you need to know what they look like. There are two types of termites – workers and swarmers. Worker termites are pale yellow in color, have straight antennae and do not have wings. Because of their lack of wings, homeowners often mistake worker termites for ants. This is a mistake that can cost thousands of dollars worth of damage to your home. These types of termites are lighter in color than ants, and their straight antennae distinguish them from their less destructive counterparts.
When termite colonies become too large, winged reproductives called swarmers will leave the nest to form a new colony. Swarmers are easier to identify than workers because of their translucent wings. Swarmer termites have two sets of wings which are equal in size, and will discard their wings when they have found a suitable location for a new colony. Therefore, piles of wings in and around your home is a good indication that you have an infestation.
Signs of Termite Infestation
There are several tell-tale signs of termite infestation in your home. If you’re wondering how to check for termites, keep in mind that some of the most common indicators of the presence of termites include:
- Mud shelter tubes on exterior walls or on objects in your yard
- Piles of light, wood-colored termite feces, or “frass”
- Swarms of termites or piles of discarded wings in or around your home
- Tracks that resemble honeycombs on exposed drywall or timber
- Visible “mazes” on your home’s interior walls
- Wood that sounds hollow when tapped
Even if you don’t notice any signs of termites yourself, it is a good idea to get a free termite inspection every year to protect your home from damage and give yourself a little extra peace of mind. Call(877) 556-4131today to learn more about how to check for termites in your home or to receive a FREE termite inspection from the specialists at ACTION Termite Control.
