Termites are pests that are notorious for damaging wooden structures and they may be present in your home without your knowledge. Termite damage often requires costly repairs. If you have these signs of termites, hire an exterminator as soon as possible.
Damaged Drywall
Termites feed on cellulose and drywall is partially made from cellulose. Often termite damage goes undetected in drywall, but if you notice small holes in the paper or piles of termite droppings, contact a professional to assess the situation.
Peeling Paint is One of the Signs of Termites in Your Home
Paint may peel with age, but it can also be one of the signs of termites in your home. If the paint on your walls looks like it is peeling because of water damage, it may actually be caused by termites.
Buckling Floorboards
Termites usually prefer the softer wood of the subflooring and may damage that before the hardwood. If an infestation is left untreated, the wood will weaken and cause sagging floorboards. Laminate flooring may also sag if the underlying floor is damaged by termites.
Crumbling Wood
Even if your home isn’t made out of wood, you likely have wood trim around the roof or baseboards. If you notice that any of the wood is crumbling, this is one of the signs of termites in your home. Soft or damaged wood can be an indication of too much moisture, but it may also be caused by a termite problem.
Termite Droppings
Inspect around the wood of any suspect areas and look for small pellets or tiny wood shavings. These pellets are termite dropping, also called frass, and often resemble a pile of salt or black pepper or sand.
Discarded Wings are One of the Signs of Termites
When termites leave the nest to make a new home, they swarm, flying in search of another location to build a colony. If termites have infested your home, you may notice discarded wings. After settling into their new dwelling, termites drop their wings and leave them behind.
Termites in your home are a problem that should be addressed. If you notice any signs of termites, call an exterminator right away. The longer you wait to address the situation, the more extensive the damage will be.
Home Vue Inspection Services offers home inspection services, including termite and wood-destroying insect inspections, to the Charlotte metro area. Contact us to request an appointment.