Five Signs Of Termite Activity To Watch For Around Your Connecticut Property
Termites can do a lot of damage to your Connecticut property. But they don't do this damage overnight. It takes time—sometimes, lots of time. A termite infestation is the kind of problem that can haunt you in your retirement years. When you're ready to kick your feet up and relax, you can find out that your home investment has been compromised. That is why it is so important to watch for signs of termite activity. Here are five helpful ways to detect termite activity.
1. Shelter Tubes
If your home has no areas where wood touches the soil, termites will have to create shelter tubes up the side of your foundation walls or inside the concrete piers underneath your home. These tubes shelter the termites from the dry air. Identification of shelter tubes can be a little tricky. Here are a few things to consider:
- Shelter tubes are made of mud and will be the same color as the soil around your home.
- Shelter tubes are often the width of a pencil.
- Shelter tubes look like rivers of mud flowing up from the soil. You may even see them as a chain lighting pattern or the shape of a tree branch.
2. Workers
It is rare to see worker termites because they stay entirely inside the ground or inside the wood they are consuming. Usually, they are uncovered during a renovation. This isn't a great way to discover them. It is far better to find them in your yard.
- Chop into a stump and examine it for tunnels inside. Also, look for the termite workers crawling around. They look a little bit like pale white ants.
- If you have a piece of wood in your yard that is sitting on the ground, lift it and look underneath. Worker termites might be seen on the soil between.
- If you have cardboard sitting in a garage, shed, or outbuilding, you may find termites inside.
- If you have a dying bush or tree, you may be able to break off a piece and find termites inside.
3. Swarmers
This can be one of the most visible signs of a termite infestation. When termites swarmers emerge on the interior of a building, they're hard to miss. Unfortunately, they usually emerge outside because termite nests are outside in the ground. If they appear inside, it is evidence of a severe infestation.
- Termite swarmers are black with long white wings that hang off the end of the termite.
- The wings of a termite swarmer are a teardrop shape and they stack on top of each other.
- Termite swarms don't last for more than 30 minutes. You may only find shed wings that are left by the swarmers after mating. Look for these wings on the ground, on surfaces, or in spider webs.
4. Termite Damage
It is rare to see termite damage because most of the damage is done on the inside of the wood. If damage can be seen, it will usually be in a damp location. Do an inspection of any wooden fence posts, deck legs, stair supports, and other structures that provide wood-to-soil contact.
Over time, damage caused by termites can become noticeable in your home. Floors can begin to sink down. Ceilings can begin to dip. Doors and windows can start to stick or open and close freely. By the time you see this kind of damage, it is too late.
5. Listening For Termites
It is rare, but termites can sometimes make clicking or rustling sounds inside wood. This is the sound of soldier termites hitting their heads against tunnel walls.
Another way you may use your ears to detect termites is by tapping on wood. If a timber looks solid and thick, but sounds hollow when you tap on it, you probably have a termite infestation.
The Best Way To Detect Termites
Termites can be incredibly sneaky. It's also a lot of work to do routine inspections and get into the tight, dark, and dirty places where evidence may be found. It is far better to invest in termite protection from Big Blue Bug Solutions. We can help you protect your home investment from termite infestment. Protect your equity by reaching out to us today.
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