Signs of Termites

So you built a home. Or maybe you bought a home or inherited some sort of property. However you came to own your property, you likely want to make sure that it is in good working order and that it will last a long time. There are a number of unseen and unforeseen forces that you will need to defend against, and one of these is pests, including termites.

Termites are not the friendliest housemates. They feed off organic wood fibers, which can cause serious damage to your walls and drywall. Although they are relatively harmless to humans, they can destroy a home if left on their own.

So how do you know if you are dealing with some serious termite troubles? If you use your detective skills, you can spot them before they become a danger to the house. Look for the signs beforehand. You can recognize these little pests by looking for the termites themselves and the damage they cause.

Evidence of Damage

You should schedule termite treatments Fort Myers FL every once in a while to be safe, but there are also ways to check for the bugs on your own. They may hide inside your walls, but they can’t help but leave traces of themselves behind.

You may notice your drywall is drooping or discolored, or that it contains tiny holes like pinpricks. You may notice that paint on your walls is peeling as though the wall has been damaged by water. More than this, you could have floors that are squeakier than usual or wood that sounds hollow when you tap on it, and the wood or laminate or wood on your floors may begin to buckle.

Evidence of Termites

Termites are busy, hungry wood-eaters, and they can either be chewing through the walls themselves or coming up from the ground below. You can detect the subterranean variety by the tiny mud tubes they leave on the foundation of your property. You might also see piles of wood pellets on your property. These piles look very much like salt or pepper.

In addition to this, termites often swarm before they enter your home. You might find piles of discarded wings lying around, which look like fish scales, or you might see the swarms themselves.

Termites leave many signs for you to be able to detect them. Keep an eye out for such insect trouble on your new property.