Termites are destructive pests that can take over your home without being noticed. They efficiently chew through wood, structural components, and drywall. You may recognize the signs of termite activity once extensive damage has been done, resulting in costly repairs and possible safety hazards.
Termites are responsible for billions of dollars in property damage every year across the U. S. Their ability to stay hidden for a long time lets them create significant structural problems without immediate detection. By understanding how these pests work, the signs of a termite infestation, and the consequences of not taking action against them, homeowners can find ways to maintain a termite-free living space. Also, this allows them to contact Green Pest Services pest control experts as necessary.
What Termites Do
Termites are usually mistaken for ants; however, their colony structures and feeding habits make them more dangerous for houses and commercial buildings. These pests mainly consume cellulose, which is found in wood, plant-based materials, and paper. From floorboards to support beams to drywall and furniture, homes provide termites with the ideal feeding ground.
Specific termite behavior and habits depend on the type of termite. Below are the different species available:
- Subterranean termites. These species are the most destructive, living underground to create massive tunnel networks that connect to food sources located above ground. These termites can go unnoticed for years, building mud tubes along foundations and walls, consuming wood from the inside out, and building colonies composed of millions of members.
- Drywood termites. These species don’t need soil contact as they establish colonies inside wooden structures, walls, and furniture, making them difficult to detect. Drywood termites leave behind small piles of wood-colored droppings known as frass near infested areas.
- Dampwood termites. These termites prefer decaying or water-damaged wood. That is why they thrive in humid or damp environments. While these species may not infest homes, they can still cause serious damage when moisture issues go unaddressed.
Early Signs of Termite Infestation
The following are the common signs of termite infestation that homeowners should look out for:
- Mud tubes. These tunnels are often found along foundations, crawl spaces, and walls. They protect subterranean termites from predators and dehydration, letting them move from their nest to food sources and vice versa.
- Hollow or buckling wood. Because termites consume wood from the inside out, affected wood may sound hollow when tapped. In serious cases, walls may buckle, floors may feel spongy, and ceilings may saag because of structural weakening.
- Shed wings. Swarmers or reproductive termites emerge from their colonies to find new nesting sites. They shed their wings after mating, leaving behind piles of wings near doorways, light sources, and windows.
- Termite droppings. Drywood termites push out frass from their tunnels. Such tiny, wood-colored droppings usually accumulate near infested baseboards, wooden structures, and furniture.
- Tight-fitting windows and doors. When termites tunnel through wood, they build moisture and cause wood to swell. As a result, doors and windows become more difficult to open or close, usually mistaken for expansion due to humidity.
What Happens when Termite Damage is Ignored?
Ignoring termite damage can result in severe financial and structural consequences. Because termites never take a break, even a minor infestation can quickly escalate into a major one in a matter of months.
When left unchecked, termite activity weakens a home’s load-bearing structure including support beams and joints, roof framing and attic supports, and wooden flooring and subfloors. While wood deteriorates, a house becomes vulnerable to extreme weather, possible safety hazards, and increased repair costs.
In addition, a history of termites can lead to lower home value, making it more challenging to refinance or sell. Also, some insurers may increase premiums or deny coverage when a property has had past infestations.