Termites are a big nuisance when it comes to being a homeowner and cannot be taken lightly. They are an issue that if not taken care of properly, can cost thousands to treat and get under control. We want to help you avoid that issue and take care of them as soon as possible if you think you have termites. But how do you know if you have termites or not? In Arizona it’s not “if” you have Termites, but rather “when” you have Termites, so here are some tips to recognize whether or not you have termites.
- Excessively squeaky floorboards
- Termite damage can weaken the joints of the floorboards resulting in squeaky floors. If your floors are loud and squeaky, that could be a sign that termites are eating at the wood underneath the floor. Squeaky floors are usually upstairs since Arizona homes have a concrete slab. If you have hardwood floors, you will notice they will start to have some give or feel a little squishy as the Termites eat away at the wood grain.
- Wings left behind
- Mature termites have a tendency to discard their wings and they can pile up. A small Termite colony has close to 200,000 termites. A large colony can have up to 2 Million Termites. When they get large, half of them will grow wings, and on a humid evening, take flight to find a new queen and start a new colony. They are attracted to light, so they will shed their wings typically under outdoor lighting before they dive down into the soil.
- Mud tubes climbing the foundation of her home
- Some termites have their colonies underground and in order to connect their colony to above ground food sources, they will build mud tubes to travel in. These tubes often involve them eating whatever is in their way and that can cause much damage to your property. The mud tubes are essential because it helps their bodies stay moist until they can return to the soil. Subterranean Termites must return to the soil within 48 hours or their bodies will dry out.
- Peeling paint that looks like water damage
- It is possible for termites to get in between the wall and paint or wallpaper and as they eat through the wall and even the paint and wallpaper, it will start to peel and create a water damage effect. If you notice the peeling paint effect, feel around on the wall to see if there are hollow spots or bubbles in the paint where termites have been munching away unnoticed.
- Wood that sounds hollow when tapped
- If there are many places within or on the outside of your home that have exposed wood, it is definitely worth it to check and see if the wood is hollow every so often. You can never be too sure when it comes to having a lot of exposed wood.
These are not the only signs and side effects of having a termite infestation, but if you are seeing one or more of these signs within your home, it is definitely worth your time to schedule your free inspection today. We offer many different termite services depending on how big and what type of termite issue you are having. Do not put off inspections and treatment. The longer you wait, the more damage you will have. It is in your best interest to schedule that free inspection today.
