5 Common Signs That Your Home Has a Termite Infestation
As a homeowner, you have various responsibilities that help ensure your home is comfortable. It can be argued that some of these responsibilities are more important than others, and a perfect example of this is pest control. You should never take pest control for granted because it can cause significant damage to your home if you're not careful. While most pests can do this, termites can cause the most damage.
Termites are small, wingless insects that live in colonies. They're highly destructive because they can bore into wood to get food, causing significant damage to your home. A termite infestation is never good because it can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage. For this reason, homeowners must know some of the most common signs of a termite infestation. These include:
#1 - Presence of Mud Tubes
Termites require shelter that protects them from the elements and predators. Depending on where you live, termites can find this in the soil or wooden structures. They'll create mud tubes to connect their nests to the food source. This can be on the ground or hanging from your home's roof.
Alternatively, these mud tubes can also be made from their droppings. Whatever the case, the presence of these mud tubes indicates that you have a termite infestation. If this is the case, you should hire an exterminator to perform a complete termite treatment.
#2 - Frequent Short Circuits
When your home's power shorts, it's usually because of faulty wiring. However, this can also be caused by termites because they can enter your home through the roof. From that point, make your way down to your electrical wiring. They'll eat through the electrical wires and cause short circuits.
A few short circuits can be an isolated incident, but if your home begins shorting out regularly, there's a good chance it's a sign of a termite infestation. Make sure you remove any damaged wiring and then hire a skilled exterminator to do a complete termite treatment.
#3 - Swarms of Flying Insects from the Outdoors
Termites will often move from one wood source to the next, and that's why you may see swarms of flying insects coming from the outdoors. They're not butterflies or bees but termites looking for a new wood source. You may see them flying around your porch or your home's various openings.
These flying termites are usually white, referred to as alates. They often fly around in groups and swarm, which is a sure sign that you have a termite infestation.
#4 - Noticeable Floor and Ceiling Damage
Your home's floors and ceilings take a lot of abuse, and the damage they receive over time often goes unnoticed. But if there's a termite infestation, you'll notice some of the damage they cause. For example, they'll destroy the wood flooring or wood beams on the ceiling, causing them to break apart.
You'll also see significant damage to your walls and doors as they chew through the wood. Sometimes, you may see visible termites on the ceiling or the walls.
#5 - Your Walls’ Paint or Plaster Has Visible Cracks
Your walls will take a lot of abuse from your home's vents, heating, and air conditioning systems. They can suffer from wear and tear if you don't regularly check them. Another sign that you may have a termite infestation is if you notice visible cracks on your walls.
For example, you may spot cracks in your plaster or paint. Some of these cracks will be long and narrow, common to termite infestations. You must inspect your home's interior walls regularly.
Conclusion
A termite infestation isn't something you should take lightly because the damage it can cause to your home is significant. You must learn to recognise some of the most common signs of termites, including the ones mentioned above. If you notice any of these signs, you should contact an exterminator as soon as possible.
If you need help with termite control in Geelong, D-Day Pest Control can help you! Our professional pest control specialists use safe methods to ensure your home is free of pests, all for fair prices. Simply go to our website to request a quote!
