
No one wants to share their homes with pests, especially termites, but if you’re spotting certain signs around the house, you may have cause for concern. From buckling in your wood flooring to discarded wings, there are many signs of termite infestation that may prompt you to call your trusted termite control technicians in Gilbert, AZ.
Here are some signs to be on the lookout for:
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Buckling or Blisters in Hardwood Flooring
If you have noticed blister spots or buckling on your wood flooring, you may have termites. Subterranean termites in particular often damage the subfloor, making your flooring look discolored or like it has a wavy appearance. Termites like to chew through the softer subfloor wood or the supports, so it’s common to not even know they’re there until a significant amount of damage has been done.
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Hollowed or Damaged Wood
Wood damage due to termites is evident below and behind surfaces such as floors and walls. That’s because termites eat through walls from the inside out. As they eat, they hollow out the walls’ wood studs, which is why they may sound empty when tapping on them. These destructive insects eat the cellulose in the wood, which leaves behind long grooves that look like a maze or honeycomb pattern. These grooves will weaken the wood over time and lead to structural damage.
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Swarmers
These are flying termites that left the colony to start a new one. Swarming typically occurs in late spring or summer when temperatures are warmest. Each swarm can contain hundreds or thousands of flying termites.
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Discarded Wings
You will often find these near windows, doors, and other entry points to the home. That’s because termites fly towards your windows when attracted to the outside light. As they do so, they intentionally twist their wings off upon landing because they don’t need them anymore. Just because you see these discarded wings on your windowsill doesn’t mean they are dead. They are just busy behind the scenes starting a new colony.
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Difficult to Open Doors and Windows
As they burrow in your door and window frames in search of cellulose, termites cause damage to the wood. This leads to buckling or warping, which makes opening and closing windows and doors more of a challenge.
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Mud Tubes
Termites nest underground, foraging upward toward their food source. These pencil-sized mud tubes are often found where your foundation meets the ground or at the base of trees or sheds. These tunnels block out cool, dry air, allowing them to thrive.
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Droppings
As termites tunnel and eat through the wood, they make galleries. In order to keep these areas clean, they make kick out holes which is where they remove their droppings. These small mounds of pellets, called frass, often land on the floor or windowsills and resemble coffee grounds or sawdust.
Contact Simply Green Pest Control in Tempe, AZ
If you have noticed any of the above signs in your home, don’t hesitate to call our Phoenix, AZ exterminators. Just contact us at 480-550-9220 for a free quote and inspection on termite service in Arizona.