Termites can be elusive little creatures, but this article will help you stay one step ahead. Here are 7 signs you have termites in your home.

Termites cause more than $2 billion dollars worth of damage every year. Don’t let them get your house, too. 

In order to prevent infestation or severe damage to your house, you’ll need to pay close attention to inside and outside your home. Read on to learn more about the signs you have termites so you can be armed with the knowledge of what a termite infestation looks like and contact professional help immediately.

1. Damaged Wood

Unfortunately, most people don’t realize they have termites until they notice the damaged wood. Termites eat wood from the inside out, so if you notice hollow wood, or knock on wood and hear a hollow sound, there’s probably a termite colony to blame. 

2. Swarms 

Swarms occur when termites leave their homes to create new colonies. Swarmers are flying adult termites. They are often mistaken for flying ants, but if you look close enough you can tell they are termites.

Depending on the type of termite and the level of infestation you will see the termites fly in spring or fall.

If you see a swarm, the damage may have not been done yet. Call pest control immediately and get them to assess the situation. 

3. Termite Droppings

Termite droppings, also known as frass, are a sure sign that you have termites. 

As the termites eat through the wood, their waste is left behind. Frass sort of looks like wood shaving pellets and is located near the infested wood.

4. Discarded Wings

After the swarm occurs, the termites discard their wings. They no longer need to fly to a new home, so the wings become obsolete. Cool, huh?

Termite wings around the house are a telltale sign that you have a termite infestation.

5. Termite Mud Tubes

Termites, specifically subterranean termites, build these structures known as mud tubes outside homes. These tubes are built from poop, saliva, and mud.

The termite tubes help protect the colony as they go from underground to their food source, and vice versa. 

6. Clicking Sound in Walls

No, it isn’t a ghost. We mean, at least that faint clicking sound isn’t a ghost.

That clicking sound in your wall is termites! While almost as scary as a ghost, they’ll definitely wreak more havoc on your house. 

That sound is the sound of termites not only eating inside your walls (yum), but soldier termites will actually hit their head against the wall when they feel danger is present! Sort of like an intruder alarm to alert the rest of the colony that you’re coming! 

7. Outdoor Damage

If you notice outdoor damage to trees or piles of wood, it could mean that termites are near your house. You can tell it is termite damage by the small holes and shavings underneath the infested area.

If you don’t do something about it, an eventual invasion of your home is imminent. 

Be On the Lookout For Signs You Have Termites 

Do any of these sure signs you have termites sound a little too familiar to you?

You do not want to mess with termites. Their colonies will grow and take over your house and cause structural damage. Contact your local pest control expert to assess for a possible infestation, today.

Find this blog post interesting? There’s more where that came from; check out the rest of our blog.