Termites don’t make a big, sudden entrance into homes. There are often no loud sounds present and usually no visible evidence to indicate there is a problem, and for this reason, you usually will not know there is anything out of the ordinary. They are more often quiet, hidden, and well concealed – allowing them to do severe damage before you notice they are present.
Sometimes, you will find evidence that a colony has consumed its way through the beams, flooring, or even into your walls. That’s the scary truth about termites; silence is their best weapon.
If you’ve ever wondered what to look for, here are the subtle warning signs of a termite colony that might be living right behind your paint or plaster — and what you can do about it.
1. Hollow-Sounding Wood
One of the earliest red flags is sound, not sight. Gently critically tap some baseboards, door frames, or window sills. If the area sounds hollow, it is possible the wood is already infested. Termites consume the wood from the inside out while they eat and leave only the outer layer of wood.
That is also easily overlooked until it becomes irreversible; but, all old homes have areas that creak or feel hollow. However, if you find any area that feels softer or less pronounced than usual, it may be time to call a qualified termite inspector and get an inspection.
2. Paint That Looks Like Its Bubbling Or Peeling
Many unwillingly separate termite damage from water damage. While termites can be somewhat similar for certain fine reasons, it is still important to discover termites from other threats of water-related damage. As termites consume wood, they release moisture that can create bubbling, peeling, and even separation of paint or wallpaper from walls and ceilings.
If you discover there is an unusual area of blistered paint on a wall, and it is not located near a plumbing location, you likely should investigate that area. Pest control for termite companies near me can confirm whether the issue is either water or wood eating insects.
3. Soft Clicking or Tapping Sounds
Believe it or not, termite colonies are noisy. While worker termites are quiet, soldier termites will bang their heads on tunnels as a communication primarily around signals of danger to threaten other termites, as well as many other modes of communication throughout the colony.
The actual noise is quite faint, almost a soft click; in fact a human would only experience hearing it if they were in the most quiet of rooms; but people report hearing it inside their walls or on wood panels when everything in the house is still at night.
If you ever hear that unexplained, faint rustling inside your walls, it’s time to schedule termite inspections before you assume that it’s “just the pipes.”
4. Tiny Holes and Dust Near Baseboards
Another clue is the fine, powdery dust termites leave behind while they push the debris from their tunnels. This can be easily observed near walls and baseboards, or even around tiny pinholes where they have made a breach in the surface.
This is usually a subtle clue but one that almost invariably precedes the actual tangible damage by many months. Regular termite control visits by professionals can catch such early details that elude the untrained eye.
5. Mud Tubes Found along the Walls or Foundations
The most damaging termites are Subterranean which create very small mud tubes which are used to crawl up from the ground into the property. Mud tubes assist termites out of the air and light.
Check crawl spaces, along exterior walls, or along foundations for brownish trails made of dirt. They may appear insignificant but are a surefire indication that termites are present. Trying to break them yourself won’t resolve the situation; the colony will just rebuild.
Instead, contact a professional like Treebark Termite and Pest Control to assess the extent and apply proper treatment before structural damage begins.
6. Doors or Windows That Suddenly Stick
People always like to use the explanation of humidity as a reason for doors or windows not properly latching, but you can find that termites are usually not the problem. As they burrow into the wood, they change its shape and moisture content causing it to warp or swell.
If there is a particularly obstinate door or window, one that used to fit fine, it may not be the weather; it may be the termites remodeling the frame from the inside.
7. Discarded Wings near Windows or Light Fixtures
A more identifiable indicator of a hidden colony is to find a small mound dumping wings. When termites swarm in the spring or after a heavy rainfall they will again swarm and shed their wings, ad also, it usually indicates they have found a location will be able to establish a new colony.
You will find wings generally on window sills, lights, or door frames. When you see wings, this fact does not mean they just presented the colony swarming and shedding wings, it just means that was the location they left their wings. This is when immediate termite control action becomes crucial.
Why early detection saves you thousands
Since termite damage is considered preventable, it’s rarely covered under homeowners’ insurance. That means early detection is the only real way to avoid huge repair bills.
A quick search for termite control near me will hook you up with experts in finding and treating colonies before they’ve spread. The best thing you can do for your home is regular termite inspections-ideally once a year.
Companies such as Treebark Termite and Pest Control employ modern detection methods and do not require you to remove any walls. Your tech can find activity during an early-stage infestation, apply an eco-safe treatment, and set up a monitoring program to ensure the preventive treatment has working many years down the road.
Don’t Wait for the Damage to Show
The biggest mistake most homeowners make is waiting until they see visible damage – by which time termites have often been eating for years.
They are quiet and don’t announce themselves with noise or mess. They just quietly and insidiously weaken your home from the inside out.
The smartest strategy is prevention, and/or annual termite inspections with preventative measures of a pest control team, such as Treebark Termite and Pest Control, will provide with a clear path.
Treebark Termite and Pest Control– your local team offered in a early cheat with honors, and complete protection.