As warm weather increases, unwelcome houseguests could be preparing to invade your home this spring by tunneling up through the ground and eating their way through wood, paint, bricks, and sheetrock. TERMITES cause more than $5 billion in damage each year, and are capable of completely destroying your home.
Here in the eastern United States, subterranean termites are commonly found living in colonies which can tunnel hundreds of feet underground. As temperatures rise, so do their activity levels, resulting in a flurry of egg-laying by colony queens and mating activity by other termites in the colony.
A potential termite problem often has pretty obvious red flags, but the lack of any of the following doesn't mean you're out of the woods - the only thing that can determine that for sure is a thorough home inspection. If termites are found, termite control is necessary to preserve your home.
Swarming
The sudden emergence of large numbers of winged termites swarming from wood or soil is a definitive sign that groups of male and female termites known as alates are leaving their colony in an attempt to mate and initiate new colonies. Swarming usually occurs on warm days, flashing by in less than an hour during daylight hours in March, April and May. Indoor swarming occasionally occurs and should be considered an almost sure-fire sign of a termite infestation.
Mud Tubes
Typically 1/4 to one inch wide, mud tubes and the presence of mud protruding from cracks in wood and wood structures are indicative of termites. These sheltered pathways built from dirt and water protect termites from air and predators while they seek out wood to consume. Determining if they are active can be done by breaking the tubes and monitoring them to see if they are rebuilt or if new ones occur.
Wood damage
Termites create honeycombed paths through wood which may not be obvious to the naked eye. Wood is essentially hollowed out and detection requires probing the wood to determine if it has hollow areas.
If you haven't already done so, take the steps necessary to protect your home and stop these destructive invaders in their tracks. Termites are slow eaters, so even if they are discovered in or near your home, there is still time to intervene and implement effective termite control.