Blog > How Can You Tell If You've Got Termites?

Termites are small insects that live together in large colonies. Their nests are usually underground or inside buildings and they don’t just chew wood, they actually digest it and then use it to build their nests. These are the main signs that you may be suffering from a termite infestation.

Mud trails

Termites like wood, so they leave a trail of mud as they move around the house. While you could be seeing a leak in your home, it’s more likely that you have termites if there are mud trails leading up the sides of your house. If you find mud trails on your property, call an exterminator immediately. Termites can cause a lot of damage to your home over time and are best removed before they get too big or start swarming inside walls.

Dried mud appearing

Termites also like moisture, so they will often build mud tubes in the joints of your door and skirting boards. This is because they need a safe place to hide from predators. You can check for mud tubes by looking along the edges of your doors and windowsills or skirting boards. You might see fine grains of dirt and little piles of debris that look like sandcastles.

Blistering wood

Termites can cause blistering on doors and skirting boards. This is a sign of termite activity and the first visible stage of damage caused by these pests. The termites are eating through the wood and leaving behind a chemical trail that other termites follow, causing further damage to your home.

Excess damp and moisture

Termites like damp areas, so if you notice moisture stains on walls or water damage in a certain area of your home, it’s possible that you have termites. If the dampness doesn't go away after a few days, it's best to call in an exterminator or pest control expert. This could encourage the termites further if not treated.

Tapping or chewing noises

If you hear faint tapping or chewing noises, that could be an indication of termites. Termites are not easy to spot, so listening for sound is one of the best ways to detect them. Termites make a quiet ticking sound when they're eating wood, and this can be heard throughout the house. Termites will also make chirping noises as they travel through walls, ceilings, and floors looking for food sources such as wood or cellulose material like paper products (paper towels).

Softer floorboards

If you have a soft floorboards, it's likely because termites have eaten through the wood. This is easy to spot if you can see the subfloor or if you can feel the difference between an undamaged piece of wood and one that they have eaten. The best way to fix this problem is to remove all of the affected material and replace it with new pieces. If you're not sure how to do this yourself, hire someone who does know what they're doing.

Contact us today at Holloway & Co for all your pest control needs.