Termites are a serious issue for homeowners. They can cause extensive damage to your home’s foundation and structure, leaving you with hefty repair bills and a lot of extra stress. Fortunately, there are some warning signs that can alert you to the presence of these pesky critters, so you can take action before it’s too late. Let’s look at three common signs that might mean you have a termite infestation in your home, and why it’s best to get help from a professional exterminator when dealing with them.
Sign #1: Discarded Wings Near Windows and Doors
One of the first things to check if you suspect termites is around windows and doors. These are common entry points for termites into your home, so they might leave behind discarded wings as they swarm inside. When they swarm, they shed their wings as part of the mating process, leaving them on nearby surfaces like window sills or door frames. If you find small piles of wings near these areas, it could be a sign that termites are present in your home.
Sign #2: Hollow-Sounding Wood
Another telltale sign of termite presence is hollow-sounding wood throughout your house. Termites will eat away at wooden structures over time, leaving them hollow and weakened. If you knock on walls or floorboards and hear an empty sound rather than the usual solid thud, this could be an indication that there are termites inside the wood eating away at it from within.
Sign #3: Mud Tubes Along Foundations
Finally, look for mud tubes along your foundation walls or other wooden structures outside your house. Mud tubes are made by termites as pathways between their nests and food sources (ie., wood). These tubes will be about the diameter of a pencil and may stretch for several feet along surfaces like foundation walls or porches/decks where wood meets soil. They’re also typically found near plumbing pipes or other water sources where moisture is available for drinking purposes. Finding mud tubes is one of the clearest signs that there are active termite colonies present in your home or yard. So if you notice any of these three warning signs around your house—discarded wings near windows/doors; hollow-sounding wood; mud tubes along foundations—it would be wise to contact a professional exterminator right away to assess the situation further and determine whether there is an active infestation present in your home. With their expertise and experience dealing with these pests, they will be able to quickly identify any potential issues and recommend solutions that will keep your family safe from harm while protecting your investment in your home for years to come!