Termites are a persistent problem in the US. The estimated property damage due to termites in the country has been worth $5 billion annually. The best way to protect your home is to identify the signs of termite damage, and take immediate action to eliminate or control them. This way, you save your property, cost of repair, and keep your family safe.

It is even more important to take precautionary steps to control termites because home insurance does not usually cover the damage due to termites. This is why you need to be proactive when it comes to preventing termite damage by looking for termite signs in your home periodically. This helps remove the worry of having to repair new termite damage in your home.

Early detection of the signs of termites is crucial in preventing further damage. However, homeowners often miss the signs of termites that hide in subterranean nests and eat out wooden items from inside.

Here are signs of potential termite damage:  

Top 5 Signs of Termite Infestation

Damage or hollow in Wooden Structures

While looking for signs to identify termite infestation, cut a piece of wood at the targeted site to see if there is any damage. Different types of termites leave specific patterns of damage in wood.

In the case of any termite, you may find damage in wooden structures, such as behind and below floors, walls, and others. Such damages may happen when termites chew through the wood when searching for cellulose, and leave signs in the form of grooves. Over a period, these grooves make wood fragile and cause structural damage to the property. Generally, hollowed wood has damages from the inside and gives a hollow sound.

Subterranean termites eat out softwoods and eat along the grain. It is important to stop the infestation of subterranean termites as soon as possible. One specific type of subterranean termites, called the Formosan termite infest in massive numbers. If left undetected, these termites can cause significant damage to homes, furniture, fences, and others.

On the other hand, drywood termites dig up large sections of wood and against the wood grain. Generally, the drywood termites are only a few thousand, and it takes several years to reach that number like subterranean termites.

Blisters on Wooden Floors

Blisters on wooden floors in a home is an obvious sign of termites feeding within or below. Subterranean termites can cause serious damage to the subfloor and can make your wood floors look like water damage.

Mud Tubes

Look for mud tubes in the places where the ground and your property joins or any other potential sources of food like a shed or tree. The reason being, subterranean termites do their nesting below the ground and search for food sources, like a wooden house.

Droppings of Drywood Termite

Drywood termites thrive within wooden structures and create a tunnel by eating them along the way. As drywood termites live on eating wood, their feces leave mounds of pellets that look like coffee grounds or sawdust. These droppings clearly indicate an infestation of drywood termites.

Other Signs

If you observe carefully, you may find other signs of termite infestations, even if you do not see the termites. Some of the visible signs termites may include loose tiles, sagging floors, tiny holes in drywall, and crumbling wood.

The Way to Repair Termite Damage

If your home is having serious termite trouble, it is ideal to consult a professional firm to assist with the damage repairs instead of doing any DIY repair. A trained technician can inspect your home to determine the extent of the damage. 

Typically, the repair of termite-damaged wood involves either replacing or removing the damaged wood. If you live in California, HiTech Termite Control can take care of termite issue at your home or commercial property. Our expert professionals with modern equipment can eliminate termites and will assist you with termite damage repair. Our representatives will first visit your home, inspect and evaluate the extent of damage, and implement remedial measures.

To get more details or an appointment, call (888) 322-8889, or write to info@hitechtermite.com.