As an O’Fallon, IL home or business owner, it is important that you are aware of the risk that termites have for your property. Termite damage is unfortunately not covered by most home insurance policies. This is why it is crucial for you to be aware of the different signs that there are termites on your property.
Swarmers (Also referred to as Flying Termites)
Swarmers are typically the first sign of an infestation. These pests are winged termites that emerge from their nests in large groups. They can be males as well as females that have left the nest in order to find a mate.
Several species swarm during the night and are attracted to sources of light. Other species will warm during daylight; however, all dry wood termite species tend to swarm after rain during the summer and spring seasons.
Discarded Termite Wings
Discarded wings that are left behind can also signal an infestation problem. After the swarmers take flight, they will shed their wings. If you are dealing with an infestation, you may find piles of these wings around your property, or inside of your home.
Blistering or Hollow Wood
Hollow-sounding or blistering wood can be a way to spot termites on your property. These pests usually consume wood from the inside out, which leaves just the paint. When you tap or knock on the area, it will sound papery or hollow. This is due to the wood being eaten away.
You can also find unexplainable cracks on interior walls. These cracks are from the termites eating away at the cellulose found inside the timber in the walls. These cacks are a sign of an infestation inside of the walls of your home. Besides creating cracks, this infestation can also cause wood to warp around doors and windows making it tough to open them.
Frass
A major sign of termites is frass. Frass is a type of wood-colored termite dropping that can look like sawdust to the naked eye. This indicator is something that a professional exterminator can check for during an inspection. Unlike subterranean termites, drywood termite species do not use their feces to build their tunnels. Instead, they put it out of a small hole near the entrance to their nest. This is the result of small dark marks and dark powdery material around the infestation areas.
If you believe that your home is infested with these annoying pests, give our team at Brady Pest & Termite Management a call today! We are here to ensure that your home is safe for you are your family.
