How to Spot Termite Damage

Each year termites cause billions of dollars in damage to homes across North America. Termites’ diet consists mainly of wood, termite damage in your home can compromise the strength and safety of the structure. To prevent this, early detection of a termite infestation is key. So, how can you tell whether your home has fallen prey to termites?

Here are some ways to spot the early signs of a termite infestation in your home:

Look for discarded wings

Flying termites, which are called swarmers, are often mistaken for flying ants. While ants and termites are similar in size, there are some key characteristics that you can use to tell the difference between the two insects. For example, flying ants do not shed their wings, while termite swarmers do. If you notice wings on your windowsills, doors, and other access points to your home, you are likely dealing with a termite infestation.

Inspect the wood for damage

If you believe your home may have fallen prey to termites, you should examine the wood in your home. Different termites leave different patterns of damage:

• Subterranean termites – Subterranean termites consume softwood and eat along the grain to produce a distinctive honeycomb shape in wood.
• Drywood termites – Drywood termites also eat along the wood grain to excavate large sections of wood. The damage appears significant but is less severe than that of the subterranean termite. Drywood colonies can reach to number in the thousands; however, it would take years for a colony to grow to that size.
• Formosan termites – Formosan termites can number in the millions and can consume wood at a rapid pace given their large number. They too eat along the grain are considered one of the most voracious kinds of termites.
• Dampwood termites – Dampwood termites require regular access to water and high humidity to survive. For that reason, they do not often live inside homes. Instead, they often build their nests in trees, damp logs and untreated fence posts. Having termites in your yard can still be dangerous as hollowed trees are at risk of falling and damaging your home.

Dampwood termites can live entirely in the wood, they are eating and often plug openings with fecal matter, thus avoiding detection for years, but where there are dampwood termites, there will be droppings. Although, these dropping might be hard to spot if you have an infestation in your yard as the pellets look like small particles of dust or sawdust.

Check for other signs of infestation

Even if you are unable to see the visible evidence of termite damage, there are different ways to determine if you have a termite infestation on your hands. These signs include wood that is weak and crumbles easily or wood that sounds hollow when tapped.

Get a professional termite inspection

While you can check for signs of a termite infestation yourself, the most effective way to see if you have termites is to get a termite inspection from a termite control company. An experienced professional will identify signs of an infestation that you would easily miss.

Do you need termite control in Vancouver?

If you’ve discovered termite damage in your home and wish to rid yourself if the infestation, it’s best to allow a professional to handle it instead of taking a do-it-yourself approach.

For termite inspection and control in Vancouver, contact us at Pest Detective. At Pest Detective, you will find a team of termite control experts who are committed to your satisfaction. Not only will we eliminate your problem, but we will also provide you with tips on how to prevent a termite infestation from reoccurring. So, give a call today to request a quote or learn more about our service.