“I LOST MY HOME TO TERMITES” – 5 Signs of Termite Infestation
An older client called us frantic in late December, she was losing her home to an aggressive termite invasion. The termites had attacked her roof, the house structure and her home was no longer safe to live in. The roof had become so badly infested it had started shedding wood and posed a real danger of coming down.
The stealth with which termites infest a building can only be compared to a leopard stalking its prey in the dark. They emerge from their nest and creep into your buildings to start a new colony leaving only signs for the trained eye. A mature termite colony (a minimum of 3 – 4 years and as long as 8 – 10 years old) can produce large numbers of termite swarmers that can cause considerable structural damage to your property.
It’s important to note the following red flags of a budding termite infestation or colony as you may not notice their presence until considerable damage is done to your furniture or the structural parts of your building:
1. Discarded wings of Termites Swarmers– are the first and initial signs of termite invasion. Most times found on window sills, entry points to your homes.
2. Peeled off/Cracked Paints and walls: This indicates a high moisture level important for termite survival. Moisture is the primary conducive condition for termites. Cracks give termites hidden access to your home. Mold, mildew growth are also signs of a conducive environment.
3. Frass/Fecal Matter: The earliest sign of wood damage as termites begin to feed on the wood. They are distinctive fecal pellets (piles) that are often the color of the wood they are feeding on.
4. Mud tubes: Mostly built by subterranean termite species on walls, floors etc. The mud tubes are passage ways from nest to wood source built with soil to preserve body moisture control for the termites.
Who needs Termite Control/Inspection?
Termites pose no risk to humans directly, however they pose a major threat to wood fixtures and the structural integrity of your building.Termites would typically attack your furniture, the structure of your roof, your building’s foundation and pillars in your building with wooden base structures.
A thorough, accurate yearly inspection is the most important part of any wood control program. This will ensure early detection and control of infestations and/or re-infestations before serious damage can occur.