How to Detect Termites?
Termites can be sneaky. They can attack your home and remain undetected for months or even years. However, if you know what to look for, you can often detect termites early and save yourself money by eliminating them early. When termites attack the wood of a home, they eat the wood from the inside out. A wall that is termite-infested may sound hollow when you tap on it. You can also detect termite activity by listening to your walls. Termites often make rattling, clicking, rustling or buzzing sounds as they eat wood and travel through wood. Some homeowners notice bubbling paint, discolored wallpaper or peeling wallpaper, which are all signs of termite activity.
You will often know you have termites if you see piles of shed wings around your property. Swarms of flying termites are also signs of an infestation, especially if you see them indoors. If your wood or furniture has been attacked by termites, you may see maze-like tunnels in the wood. Termites will sometimes leave behind their droppings, which look like small piles of wood dust or wood shavings.
You should also inspect your yard for signs of termites. If you see termites inside wood stumps or other trees near your home, then you may be at risk of termites attacking your home. If you have wood fences or a wooden porch or deck, inspect it for maze-like grooves in the wood. Those grooves could indicate a termite infestation.