How to Identify Termites in Your House
Homes need to be inspected for termites regularly to prevent extensive damage. Recognizing the termite signs early will allow you to take immediate action. Termites can destroy wood in a short amount of time, which will cost you a lot of money to repair. The insects will continue to breed and multiply when they infest your home. Identifying the termites is the first step before you take action to remove them from your home. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Examine the perimeter of your home along with the foundation to locate mud tubes. Examine the crawl space and basement as well to locate damages. Termites may leave behind mud tubes that are about the size of a pencil. The tubes are made from dirt and they will travel into cracks.
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Look around your home for wood damage. The wood damage will look like a honeycomb due to the hollowed out wood. The insects will eat the wood from the inside of the home, which makes it difficult to locate damages. Tap on the wall studs and the baseboards of walls to listen for a hollow sound. Examine the paint to look for bubbles or cracks, which can indicate termite droppings.
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Locate live termites inside or outside of the home. Look for insects close to your home outdoors. The termites often will travel in swarms. They are often small and have round wings with straight bodies.
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Inspect your home for termite damage when you remodel. When you remove wall coverings and wood, examine the pieces for damage. If you notice termite tunnels or even live termites, you will need to treat your home immediately to destroy the colony.
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Tips & Warnings
Flying ants look similar to termites, except they have a bent body with wings that are square.
Contact a professional when you identify termites in your home. Get two or three estimates before you decide on a company to ensure that you get the best deal.
Remove food sources from your home such as firewood and stumps. Avoid allowing wood to contact the soil if possible.
