Termites are among some of the most destructive bugs to homes and other structures. They can cause such serious damage due to the large colonies that they live in. Termites are secretive creatures that stay hidden, making it difficult to catch them before they cause major damage to your home.

Luckily, there are some tell-tale signs you can look for to detect termites as quickly as possible to minimize necessary repairs and save your structure. Keeping an eye out and doing regular home inspections will help to catch an infestation early, so you can call in the professionals and get it taken care of.

We’ve compiled a list of the top seven signs of house termites.

1. Hollow Sounds

Once termites get into the hidden places in your home (inside the walls or underneath the floor), they’ll immediately begin eating away at the wood structures. Over time this will leave gaps in the wood that make a hollow sound when you interact with it.

These kinds of hollow sounds are often found as you’re walking across the floor that’s being eaten. You’ll begin to notice the sounds of your home are different than usual because there are literally pieces missing that you can’t see. When you notice this hollow sound it’s important to call a professional to get an inspection because there’s likely significant damage already.

2. Several Small Holes

Termites are very small, little creatures which individually take very small bites out of your wood structures that collectively create the large-scale problems homeowners see.

Occasionally, the termites will come out from the more hidden places and you’ll find a series of tiny holes in the wall, baseboards, or flooring. These tiny holes are an indication that a termite treatment might be necessary. You can ask your pest control service to start with a termite bait system to get confirmation of the infestation.

These tiny, pinpoint holes can be missed or dismissed so it’s important to take notice of anything that’s out of the ordinary on your drywall.

3. Signs of Water Damage

Because of the way they eat away at the wood structures you can’t openly see, termite damage often can be mistaken for water damage.

This could include peeling paint in areas, drooping drywall, and discoloured spots. You may also notice some areas of the flooring that appear swollen or raised, this can often be caused by the extra moisture in the area from the termites.

All of these signs could also be attributed to a leak or plumbing problem, so you’ll have to perform a more thorough termite inspection to know what is the culprit of these changes within your home. Which is a job best left to the professionals.

4. Discarded Wings

While termites like to avoid areas where there’s a lot of commotion and traffic, you can sometimes see more concrete signs that you need termite control. One of the most common of those signs is piles of discarded wings.

Some species of termites can fly which is how they find their new homes. Once they’ve found a place they suspect they can survive in and build their colony, they don’t need their wings anymore and will discard them. You’ll often find these piles near openings like closed windows or crawlspace entrances.

As you give your home an inspection, you may also see bodies of termites or their droppings. All are signs that you have a potential termite colony on your property.

5. Noises Within the Wall

Even though they’re tiny, little creatures, they can make a lot of noise if you’re listening closely enough. Many homeowners who have experienced termite damage report hearing the colony inside of the walls.

As they’re eating the termites often make a clicking noise that all together might sound like a low hum or rumble from within your walls. If you have a termite infestation, you can put your ear to the wall and hear them eating away at your wood structures.

Termites move quickly and wreak havoc on a home, so if you hear suspicious sounds you have to move fast to minimize issues.

6. Mud Tubes

Another visual sign of a termite problem is mud tubes found on the ground near the wood structure. These are pencil-sized channels created by the termites as they feed and then go to their nest, which can sometimes be located underground.

The mud tubes are often described as looking like a maze of interconnecting tunnels. Once you know what to look for, they are very easily spotted as well.

These are most commonly seen when you have a subterranean species located in your home as they like a more humid, moist environment.

7. Hard to Open Doors

Since termites are eating away at the wood structure in your home, they can affect the way doors and windows open and close. Often they will cause the frames to be uneven or not square, which makes for a tight fit and difficult opening.

As they feed, termites produce a lot of excess moisture and heat which can also lead to this warping effect.

All of these signs can be attributed to other causes, so it’s important to pay attention so you can link them together and find the real culprit as quick as possible.

Signs You Have Termites

There are so many issues that can come up when owning a home but termites might be one of the worst. It’s amazing that such a little insect can cause such incredible amounts of damage.

Since they live in such large colonies, damage can happen so fast. When you see any of the signs of termite damage, it’s important to call in professionals as quickly as possible. They can customize a treatment plan for your specific home and eliminate the whole colony to get your home back to working order.

If you think you have a termite infestation and need professional pest control services, contact us today for an estimate.

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