Five Major Warning Signs of Termite Infestations

Did you know termites cause over $5 billion worth of damage to homes and properties each year?

​Unfortunately for us, termites love the climate here in North Carolina. That's why it's so important to know the warning signs of termite damage so you can prevent an infestation. Plus, with Pestech of Greenville as your premier pest management resource, we can help eliminate the risk before it gets out of hand. 

In North Carolina, the most common types of termites we see are Eastern Subterranean Termites. They are usually a cream translucent color, have six legs, and are only ⅛ of an inch long. While they can be found year-round, these termites are most common in the spring and summer.

Here are five major signs that you may have a termite infestation: 

1. Discarded Wings
Termite colonies consist of workers, soldiers, and swarmers. The swarmers are the reproductive members of the colony and are easily distinguished by their two pairs of large wings. After a swarmer leaves its colony and finds its mate, it will shed those wings. Swarmers are attracted to light and tend to be found around doors and windows. Therefore, finding small piles of wings in spider webs and on surfaces around your home's foundation is a telltale sign that you could have a termite infestation. 

2. Mud Tubes
One of the most common indicators of an infestation is the presence of mud tubes. Termites build mud tubes to serve as bridges between their colony and the wood they're eating. You may see pencil-width tubes spread out on your home's foundation, but they can be found wherever the ground meets any possible food source, like a tree or shed. The tubes are made of tiny pieces of soil, wood, and debris and are used to protect the colony from predators and conserve moisture.

3. Soft Knocking Noises
Did you know termites produce a soft knocking or clicking noise when threatened? It's not especially noticeable, but if you position yourself near an exposed wood area and listen closely, you might just hear it. The noise is caused by termites banging their heads against their bodies to pass along a warning to the colony.

4. Hollow or Damaged Wood
Noticing hollow spots or small holes in exposed wood is another telltale sign you might have a termite problem. It's also usually the first sign someone may see. Wood damage can be found below and behind surfaces like walls, floors, and more. When termites chew through the wood, they leave behind long grooves. Over time, these grooves weaken the wood and cause structural damage. 

5. Termite Droppings
Lastly, termite droppings, also known as "frass," is another sign of termite activity. As termites eat the wood in your home, they'll leave behind these droppings. The droppings are wood-colored, pellet-shaped, and often resemble wood dust or shavings. ​

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Some other signs of a possible infestation include uneven or bubbling paint, small holes in drywall, discolored drywall, excessively squeaky floorboards, and stuck windows or doors. 

The best way to prevent a termite infestation or stop one before it gets out of hand is to trust Pestech of Greenville. As a fully licensed pest control company, we are equipped to offer structural pest control services. Pestech evaluates each house to determine the proper steps for total control. 

If you're buying, building, or refinancing a home, we can help with that too. Our licensed technicians will inspect the property as needed to fulfill the North Carolina Wood-Destroying Insect Report. This report covers all wood-destroying insects, including termites, wood-boring beetles, carpenter bees, and ants. Give us a call at 252-353-4760 or email PestechOfGreenville@hotmail.com to get started. 
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