Termite problems can be very problematic and destructive. Homeowners are likely to spend more on maintenance and repair fees if they fail to discover termite problems on time.
Recent research has shown that termites affect more than 600,000 homes annually in the US, costing homeowners and landlords over $5 billion in structural damage and pest control.
You may end up spending an average of $8,000 to get rid of pests and repair the damage they cause if you become their target.
You should contact the best Junk Removal & Hauling Services in Stockton California as soon as you notice you have termite problems.
Here are termite warning signs that your house may be home to these pesky pests:
- Flying Termites
Swarmers that are flying termites are generally the first indication of an infestation. Male and female termites that have left the nest in search of a mate and then started a new colony, which may be close to or inside your home, are the ones that are flying.
Some species are drawn to light radiations and swarm around bulbs during the night. Other species will swarm during the day, but all dry wood termites tend to swarm after rain during specific seasons of the year.
- Detached wings
The lost wings are another common termite indicator. Shortly after finding a partner, flying termites lose their wings.
Males and females form pairs before making their way to a suitable nesting location, where they enclose themselves to mate and establish a new colony.
Up until there are enough workers to take over, the king and queen first take care of their kids. The queen can live with the king for more than ten years as he continues to provide for her.
- Holes in woods
The tunnels, often referred to as “galleries,” are very difficult to notice from outside, but if you see them in a piece of damaged wood close to or within your house, it is a sure sign that termites have established a colony there.
Many technologies have been suggested for finding termite tunnels and activity when there are no obvious clues. Microwaves, infrared detectors, X-rays, Borescopes, and dogs are among them. However, only a few of them have undergone laboratory testing or are already in use.
- Frass
Termite droppings are crucial indicators of termites in general and dry wood termites in particular. You should take note of these signs of infestation when conducting a termite inspection. Drywood termites don’t use their feces to construct their tunnels, in contrast to subterranean termites.
Instead, they make tiny holes near the entrances to their nest and push their waste out of there. As a result, small black substances and a dark powdery substance appear in and around the area where they are infesting.
- Doors and windows that are difficult to open
Stiff windows and warped doors can also be indicators of termites, which are frequently associated with moist and hot weather! When they eat and burrow through door and window frames, they produce moisture that causes the wood to distort and makes it difficult for the doors and windows to open and close smoothly.
- Head Slamming
You might be curious as to what termites sound like. Quiet clicking sounds coming from your walls are one indication of termites. Soldier termites shake their bodies or pound their heads on the wood to signal the other termites that something is going on when the colony is unsettled. The noisy eaters are the worker termites, which focus on chewing the woodwork in your home.
Termites can be heard nibbling on wood if you place your ear close to it. Little termites have a lot of feelings. They have several organs on their tibia and at the base of their antennae that they can use to sense noises and vibrations.