Signs That You May Have Termites
There are several clues that may indicate the presence of termites on your property. If you notice any of these signs below, it is important to call a pest control professional such as Scout Pest Control immediately.
Mud tubes
Termites build mud tubes – which are small structures on the sides or underneath buildings that are made up of soil and termite saliva. They serve as protection for the termite colony while traveling from their nests to food sources. It is also a useful indicator of where termites are located. These tubes may be found in crawlspaces, on walls, windows, door frames and other structures.
Swarmers
Swarmers, or alates, are another sign of termite infestation – they will emerge from existing mud tubes and swarm in large numbers on, in, or near the building. This happens during mating season, which occurs in spring and early summer. The swarming termites are dark-colored and have wings with brownish-yellow veins – many say they resemble flying ants.
Termite droppings
Termite droppings can also be a sign of infestation. These are dry, pellet-type feces.. You may see them in passageways or exit holes of termites of swarmer termites, which are typically very small.. These droppings are most often associated with dry wood termites and not found with subterranean termites which are what we have in Northern Alabama.
Damaged wood
Termites damage wood by burrowing into it and feeding on cellulose – any visible structural damage to building components I’m an be a sign of termite activity. It can be difficult to detect wood damage inside walls before it becomes severe, which is why it’s so important to have your home treated to prevent problems and to have annual inspections done.
Wood dust
Similar to sawdust or wood shavings, you may notice accumulations of fine particles that resemble pencil shavings are often confused as being from termites. This is often in fact damage caused by a different wood pest the Carpenter Ant. Another wood destroying pest that causes similar damage, but with a finer dust that more resembles powdered sugar is from a powder post beetle.
If you suspect that you may have termites on your residential or commercial property, you should act fast because the longer they are there, the more damage they can cause and the more they reproduce.
A pest control company can help decide the best course of action which is generally a baiting technique or liquid termite treatments. These should be monitored on a regular basis to help detect signs of termite activity and treat the pests before they become too much of an issue. Each termite situation is different, and we take that into consideration before making suggesting a method of treatment, whether that be baiting or liquid treatments.
Scout Pest Control serves Huntsville, Madison, Athens and surrounding areas. They specialize in both residential and commercial pest control services including mosquito control, rodents, ants, wasps/hornets, bed bugs, roaches, and more. Contact us today for a free inspection!
