Eight Signs Your Beaumont Home May Have A Termite Problem

Termites in Beaumont do more damage than you can imagine. Unfortunately, many homeowners don’t realize that they have a termite problem until it’s too late. Find out some of the major signs to look for that will alert you to a termite issue in your home.

Why Early Detection Matters

Termites feed on cellulose, which is in wood. While this doesn’t cause any problems in nature, it causes serious trouble for property owners. In Beaumont, there’s plenty of wood available for termites. They make their way into wooden structures and cause a long list of problems. Their eating habits may cause structural damage to your home. In some cases, they make your home susceptible to water damage. Although termites have a preference for wood, they also eat through other building materials. If you have a serious infestation, your home could suffer thousands of dollars in property damage. By detecting an issue early on, you can prevent the financial burden that comes with termite infestations.

Signs Of Termite Damage

1. Noisy Walls

When termites are around, they make noise. Soldier termites communicate by banging their heads on wood. If you tap lightly on the wall and listen in, you may be able to hear termite noises. But you have to listen very very carefully or use a stethoscope. The noises are faint.

2. Your See A Swarmer

Before termites take up residence in your home, you may notice termite swarmers. Swarmers are flying termites looking to breed and set up new colonies. Although there’s a chance they won’t colonize on your property, you should be wary. If the termites land on your property and start building a colony, they are likely to get into your home.

3. There Are "White Ants" Around

Have you found "white ants" on your property? If so, you’re probably not looking at ants, you are looking at termites. People often confuse termites for white or tan ants. Although the two species look similar in size and shape, termites are white and have straight antennae. They also have thick waists, which makes termites appear less segmented.

4. Hollow Wood

Because termites eat from the inside to the outside, they aren’t usually visible. While you might not see the damage, you may be able to hear it. If you knock on wood and you hear a hollow or papery sound, you could have termites.

5. Your Doors Are Tight

If your doors seem tighter than they used to be, don’t blame it on a settling house. The real culprit could be termites. As they chew through wood, things can get warped.

6. Windows Don’t Open Easily

For the same reason your doors are tight, your windows might be difficult to open. Termites produce moisture as they chew, and they can warp window frames.

7. You See Tunnels In Wood

As termites eat through your wood, they make tunnels. Those tunnels aren’t usually visible, but a piece of broken wood could reveal a tunnel. If you find wooden furniture or lumber with tunnels in it, you should hire someone to check for termites. One of the ways that pest control experts can check for the pests is to use tools to check for termites. They may rely on infrared detectors and other tools to look for hidden tunnels.

8. Frass

One surefire sign of a termite infestation is frass, or termite droppings. Drywood termites push their droppings out of holes. If you find a dark, powder-like substance in your home, you may have termites.

Termite Prevention

To keep termites away, you should store firewood away from your home and replace rotting wood. Most importantly, hire a professional pest control company for professional pest control. If you do see signs of termites, don’t waste time and money. Call us at Bill Clark Pest Control right away.