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How To Spot Termites In Your Home

You love your home, and you plan to live in it and nowhere else. But what if another entity is taking ownership? Termites are destructive insects that can infest and take over your home without you knowing it.

An important thing to remember is that termites feed on cellulose, and cellulose is present in wood which is a common material used in building homes. They live and dine unseen, which is why it pays to have your basement, laundry room, crawlspace, and other damp areas checked regularly for infestation.

These are tips on how to spot termites in your home according to Realty Times:

  • You can hear them in your walls. You can hope that the faint movement and mild tapping on the walls are just your imagination, but it's more likely that those are termites tromping their feet.
  • You see their droppings. Termites actually like keeping their hideout clean and tidy, and to make that possible, they leave dead termites and feces out of their vicinity, meaning outside the walls and for your eyes to see and for you to sweep.
  • You have dark or soft spots in your wood. If you notice some spots of your wall or decks that easily get scratched, then it's probably because of termite infestation.
  • You find mud tunnels, tubes, or mud piles. Look out for these signs around your foundation.
  • You see small holes in the walls. If you don't have a pet woodpecker, then suspect a termite infestation.
  • You see wood damage. When termites are colonizing your home, you will notice drooping, buckling, or sagging floors. You will also see traces of sawdust. Termite tunneling can cause wood discoloration and wood blistering.
  • You see ripples in your walls. Spot termite activities by looking out for dirt channels and ripples that can go as far as the length of the drywall. Knock the wood caging of your home and note for the hollow sound which suggests termite activity.


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