Five signs your home may have termites
As National Termite Awareness Week wraps up, Clark – your friendly pest control, grounds care, and termite control expert – would like to reemphasize the importance of being proactive about protecting your home from termites.
When we say proactive, we mean having an annual termite inspection done, and eliminating conditions that attract termites – like excess moisture, or wood that’s in direct contact with soil. Taking preemptive action can save you time, hassle, and lots of money.
Framing the termite threat
Termites are cryptic pests that do not readily announce their presence. Deck supports, floor joists, kitchen cabinets, dining room chairs – Clark Pest Control termite inspectors and technicians have found termites in the darndest places.
One of the most intriguing locations took place in a home in Santa Maria, CA. A customer called after seeing some unusual bugs in her house. During the inspection, the technician noticed movement inside a picture frame that was hanging at eye level on a wall.
A closer look showed subterranean termites had infested and were eating the wooden frame. The termites had built a mud tube inside the wall void from the crawlspace underneath the house, and they had chewed through the drywall at the exact location of the frame. The homeowner never noticed the termites before she saw the swarmers flying around.
Five signs your home may have termites:
- Termite swarmers: Also known as reproductives, swarmers are young female and male winged termites. In the spring, termite swarmers emerge from nests to mate and search for a new location to start a colony. This often includes our homes. As such, termite swarmers – or their discarded wings, found near windowsills and doors – are often the first (and only outwardly visible) sign of a termite problem.
- Mud tubes: Subterranean termites, the most destructive termite species, build mud tubes to provide moisture while they travel between their colony and a food source. Mud tubes are most often found near a home’s foundation or in a crawlspace.
- Wood damage: Termites tend to eat wood from the inside out, so wood that sounds hollow when tapped often indicates a termite infestation. You also should look for blistered pieces of wood.
- Uneven or bubbling paint: Uneven or bubbling paint is often a sign of moisture buildup, which could mean one of two things – water damage or termites.
- Termite frass: Light, wood-colored droppings that resemble sawdust inside or outside the home can be a sign of termite infestation.
For maximum protection against termites, ask about Clark Pest Control’s exclusive Termite Infestation Protection (T.I.P.) program, which is designed to cover your home from future infestations and damages caused by all species of termites. Clark also offers home repair services for damage caused by termites, along with installation of new and replacement insulation.
Clark Pest Control is committed to safeguarding your home from pests during these challenging times. Our service technicians use such personal protective equipment as gloves, masks, and respirators, they practice social distancing, they call ahead to notify you before a service, and they adhere strictly to all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines when servicing inside or outside your home.
Protect your home from termites by calling California’s trusted, friendly termite control expert, Clark, at (800) WE-NEED-YOU (936-3339) or send an email to clarkcares@clarkpest.com.
Until next time, the pest management professionals at Clark Pest Control thank you for helping to keep unwanted pests out of your home.