Are you concerned about any pest infestation at your home? If yes, then let’s see how you can know if your home is infested or not and how to detect the infestation. The most susceptible areas for termite infestations are the foundation walls, crawl spaces, and wooden decks. You should clearly inspect all these locations, as these are the key places for their infestations. There are many, many early signs that could warn you about a termite infestation, some of them are mud tubes on walls, hollow-sounding wood when trapped and discarded wings of pests near entry points. These termites mainly attack the wood, so it is easily detectable through the wood damage. Let’s talk in detail to know more about the key indicators of termite infestation in your foundation in this blog.
Key early warning signs
- Mud tubes: The termites existing under the surface can construct shelter tubes made up of soil and debris to travel. These are often found on foundation walls, piers and sill plates.
- Hollow wood: the termites only consume the wood from the inside and outside, leaving only the veneers. Tap the baseboards and wood near the foundation with the screwdriver. If it sounds hollow, is soft, or breaks easily, it is most likely inside.
- Wings in the entrance: If you find plenty of small and translucent wings near windows, doors or lights in the basement, it indicates that there is a nearby group of flying insects.
- Bubbling or peeling paint: termites bring the moisture in the home, so if you notice paint bubbling, peeling, or slight discoloration appearing similar to the water damage, it is most commonly caused by the termites.
- Sticking doors/windows: When your window frames suddenly become too tight to open smoothly, that can suggest another moisture-induced swelling or structural damage of the doors and windows. You should especially identify the areas where there is more soil-to-wood contact.
- Clicking sounds inside walls: If you hear any faint, clicking sound inside walls, it is a signal of danger that there is a complete army of termites.
If you detect any of these symptoms, contact a licensed pest control professional as soon as possible, as these treatments can not be handled by DIY methods. Don’t delay further, as ignoring these can lead to even more damage from the termites.
Conclusion
Termites are not visible at the beginning of their spread, but can cause serious damage to your property if left untreated for long. That is why early detection of these conditions is more important than anything else. If you detect any mud tubes or wood, it becomes necessary to take action by appointing a pest control professional. Broadway pest control provides the natives of Canada with the best pest control services with the help of professionals, which is not possible through DIY methods. It is always suggested by our expert Mr. Sonu, to always take professional help to eliminate the risk of much damage from the pests.
FAQs
1. How can I tell if a mud tube is active?
For this, you should break a small piece off the tube. If it is repaired or rebuilt within a few days, then it signals that it is a heavily used pathway by the termites.
2. What should I do if I find these signs?
Do not disturb the area or remove the mud tubes immediately, as this can cause them to move to a hidden area. You should immediately call a professional pest control service to determine the extent of the infestation in your foundation.
3. Can termite infestation be treated?
Yes, only professionals have the expertise to eliminate the whole termite colony. For this, they can either use a liquid soil treatment to create a barrier or the baiting system.
