Termites are destructive, so homeowners in Centralia will want to prevent them from invading their property. These pests can damage wood and weaken structures for many years until their presence is detected. Sadly, spotting them can be quite challenging as they could be busy in several parts of your house, including flooring, stairs, roofs, and cabinets. To address a termite infestation, homeowners must know what to for. They should hire Pointe Pest Control once they have determined the severity of the issue.
The company has been working with Centralia residents dealing with destructive and dangerous pests. Their technicians specialize in treating termites at the source and preventing future infestations. They look for the following signs to confirm an infestation:
Hollow or Papery-Sounding Walls
Termites consume wood from the inside out, leaving a thin layer on the outside. This makes walls sound less solid than they should. When damaged by termites, a section of your wall may seem weak when tapped.
Faint Clicking Sounds Within Walls
Soldier termites may make faint clicking noises by tapping their heads against the wood to signal danger to the colony. Homeowners with a quiet room may detect this sound if termites are active inside the walls.
Visible Mud Tubes
Subterranean termites build mud tubes to travel from soil to food sources. These pencil-sized tubes may be found along foundation walls, baseboards, or in crawl spaces. They help termites stay protected from predators and retain the moisture they need to survive.
Peeling Paint or Bubbling Wallpaper
Moisture from termite activity often causes paint to peel or wallpaper to bubble. These issues resemble water damage, so homeowners might overlook them. Professionals can help confirm whether these cosmetic damage points to a deeper problem.
Discarded Wings Near Entry Points
Termite swarms shed their wings after finding a new nesting site. Piles of discarded wings near windowsills, doorframes, or the edges of walls indicate termites may be setting up camp inside. These swarms usually occur in warmer months.
Small Holes or Cracks in Drywall
Tiny holes in drywall can also suggest termite activity. Termites create small exit points as they push out waste or search for new feeding areas. Small cracks can occur from normal settling, but a pattern of holes or fine debris near walls should raise concerns about a possible infestation.
Tight-Fitting Doors and Windows
Termites introduce moisture into wood, causing it to swell. This swelling makes frames warp, leading to doors and windows that stick.
Frass or Termite Droppings
Drywood termites leave behind tiny droppings known as frass. These pellets are often pushed out of tunnels and can collect in small piles near baseboards or wall edges. The droppings resemble sawdust or coffee grounds. They may not seem alarming initially, but finding frass indoors indicates termites are living and feeding inside the wall.
Fine cracks that run along the surface of walls may also indicate termites. The structural integrity weakens as the insects hollow out the wood, leading to visible lines or fissures. These cracks differ from ordinary settling cracks because they often appear in unusual places or form quickly. Paying attention to sudden or unexplained cracking can give you an early warning.
Sagging or Weak Walls
Severe infestations can cause entire wall sections to weaken or sag. Termites consume structural supports from the inside, so the wall may bulge or feel soft to the touch. This stage indicates long-term termite activity and requires urgent attention. Sagging walls should not be ignored as this suggests that the pests have already compromised the strength of the building materials. They should contact a pest control professional to get their home checked and treated.
