7 Signs of Termite Infestation

Termites can be a nightmare for home owners. Pest damage on your structure would be a problem for anybody. Termite damage costs Americans over $5 billion dollars a year.

Termites like to stay hidden. They usually stick to dark, moist, and warm areas. This makes them hard to detect. Termites are small, soft, and have white bodies. They feed on cellulose in wood. In Baton Rouge and New Orleans, we deal mostly with native termites and formosan termites. They are subterranean termites, meaning they live underground.

Termites venture out to find wood and water, or to reproduce. Winged termites are flying about at dusk trying to find a new home. If they find a place with dirt, wood, and moisture, termites are staying. Termite detection early can reduce the cost of repairs. Typical home owners do not notice termites until their house is heavily infested. Hiring a pest control professional to inspect and treat your home for termites is always recommended in south Louisiana. Below are some signs of termites.

Termite Tunnels

Termite tunnels are a sure sign of termite activity in your home. This is the reason to have your foundation exposed and siding/brick not touching the ground. Walk around your home and look for a small trail of packed mud leading from the ground up to your house. This is the path termites take from subterranean nest to get to the wood in your home. The view of termite tunnels can be obstructed when they are on piers under your home, behind stucco touching the ground, or if you have dirt higher than your foundation.
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Termite Noises

Termite soldiers click their mandibles and tap their bodies on wood. This is how they communicate with the termite colony. In heavy termite infestations, this can be heard in a quiet room. 
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Termite Frass

Termite frass is essentially termite poop. Termite frass usually forms at a point of entry into a pile. It resembles a mound of coffee grounds. This is another strong sign of termite activity.
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Termite Wings

Termites have wings when they are looking to reproduce. Finding these inside your home is reason enough to get an inspection. If you already have a termite infestation, you will walk into a room that is filled with flying termites. Swarming termites are often attracted to light and wings can be found beneath recessed lighting or on window sills.
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Mud in Trees

Termites often eat damaged or rotten trees. Sometimes termites will make a colony in a tree if the right circumstances are present. Large amounts of mud up in a tree are a sign of termite damage and possibly a termite colony. This can be dangerous since your tree has a higher chance of falling. Look into having your tree inspected for termites and possibly taken down.
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Small Holes in Trees or Wood

Small holes the size of BBs are a sign of termites or other wood destroying insects. If your wood or tree appears to have a buckshot spread of holes on it, you most likely have cause for concern. Unless you live near a hunting camp, call to have a termite inspection.
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Sagging Floors and Soft Wood

Sagging floors and wood that has a little give to it are signs of termite damage. Have these areas inspected as soon as you can to prevent further damage from occurring to your home. Sometimes soft wood is due to water damage alone. Termites tend to target soft wood, so repairing it can help prevent additional damage.