What Does Termite Damage Look Like?

Many homeowners face termite damage to their homes and do not realize it. They often dismiss the damage and think it’s from water or other pests that do not pose a threat. You can usually tell the difference between termite damage and other wood damage by looking to see if the damage looks like there is dirt stuck to it.  Seeing soil in these tunnels is an indication that the damage was caused by termites and not by some other wood-destroying pest like carpenter ants or even woodpeckers. Don’t let termites destroy your home, learn more about what termite damage looks like and how to prevent them from getting into your home! 

How to Tell if You Have Termites

Knowing the signs of a termite infestation is important so that you can seek professional help as quickly as possible to eliminate them. If termites are actively feeding inside your home, you may notice the following:

Mud Tubes

Subterranean termites create mud tubes that are about the width of a pencil to connect their food source (your home) to their nest. They travel through these tubes to stay out of view of predators and to maintain their moisture needs. These tubes often run along the ground, up along foundation walls, or basement walls.

Termite Swarm

A termite swarm occurs when winged reproductive members swarm from a mature termite colony to find a mate and create a new nest and colony of their own. Termite swarms usually occur in the spring and fall; the winged termites are attracted to light and quickly drop their wings after emerging from their nest, which can be found in piles around light doorways, walkways, and windows.

How To Prevent Termites

Termites are moisture-seeking pests, so the best way to protect your property and home from being attracted to termites is to reduce moisture levels in and around your home. Here are some tips: 

• Make sure that gutters are clear and are directing water away from your home.
• Trim overgrown vegetation back away from your home to allow the sun to dry out the soil around your home's foundation. 
• Fix leaky pipes and fixtures both inside and outside of your home, and remove any water-damaged wood from your home. 
• Another good prevention tip is to use dehumidifiers and air-conditioners inside your home to lower moisture levels.

Professional Termite Control Is The Solution 

A termite infestation is a serious issue and not one that can be solved with a DIY solution from Pinterest, or that can be picked up at your local hardware store. Chemicals that are not mixed or used properly can be very toxic to people, animals, and plants and could possibly make the problem worse.

To solve a termite infestation on your property, it is important to contact a professional to complete a thorough inspection and responsible professional treatment to eliminate the infestation and prevent a re-infestation from occurring. At RichPro Pest Management, we can provide dependable and professional termite treatments to ensure that your home is rid of wood-destroying termites once and for all.