Termites are generally evasive by nature which means that they could have already caused large-scale damage to your property throughout the past years by the time you’ll discover their presence. It is essential, therefore, to inspect your home on a regular basis to detect early signs of termite infestation and rectify them as soon as possible by hiring a pest control Brevard County company.

 

There are 20 termite species in Florida and around five of them are categorized as major pests including the West Indian drywood termite and the most common Formosan subterranean termite. And while there are differences among the species, the ones known to infest and damage structures leave similar indications of their presence.

 

So here are some warning signs of a potential termite infestation in your home.

 

Mud shelter tubes

 

Mud tubes are among the most common telltale signs that there are termites on the property. They are narrow trails or veins of mud that you might find on walls, eaves, ceilings, soffits and other surfaces in and around the house. Termites, especially the subterranean types, use these tunnels to protect themselves from dryness and to safely travel between their colonies and food sources.

 

To check for active termite infestation, you can break an inch of the mud tube and monitor it over the next few days to see if it gets repaired. You might also get the chance to see termites inspecting and repairing the broken area. If it doesn’t get repaired, however, it doesn’t mean that you don’t have an infestation. It’s possible that the termites may have transferred to other parts of the property for better food sources.

 

In short, the sight of these mud tubes should prompt you to consult an established pest control Brevard County Florida company.

 

Spots of dried mud on walls or ceilings

 

These small-sized spots of mud may be covering what’s commonly called termite pinholes. When termites accidentally create a hole to the outside, they promptly cover it with mud to protect themselves from outside airflow.

 

Just like mud tubes, you can scrape these blots of mud to reveal the pinholes and monitor them over the next few days to see if they get repaired. Regardless of the result, though, it’s still essential to contact a pest control specialist to thoroughly inspect your property.

 

Deformed lines or areas on wallpapered or painted surfaces

 

Termites eating the cardboard parts of sheetrock walls can leave narrow, sunken trails and areas on the wallpapers and paint covering them. Seek professional help at once if you suspect the presence of termites.

 

Small, uniform-sized pellets

 

These small wood-colored pellets accumulating in a certain area could be a sign of infestation by the drywood termite species. Often referred to as frass, they are the termites’ fecal pellets that are pushed out of the colony. The subterranean termites, on the other hand, use their droppings to create their mud tunnels.

 

Termite swarmers or wings inside the house

 

The presence of winged termites (swarmers), whether alive or dead, in the house could indicate that the pests have been invading your home for a long time already considering that it takes years for a colony to become big enough to be able to create swarmers. Also known as alates, these flying pests emerge from the termite colony to find a mate and establish new colonies.

 

Take note though that the presence of swarmers doesn’t always mean there’s an active termite infestation inside the house. They could be from a colony outdoors but have accidentally entered the house at night since they’re attracted to lights. To be sure though, seek the assistance of a trusted pest control Brevard County company with considerable experience in termite management.

 

Presence of termite damage 

 

If you’re discovering termite damage on the surface without having to remove wall coverings or lift massive structures, there could already be bigger damage throughout your house. As mentioned earlier, termites are evasive and the fact that you’re already discovering them on the surface means their colony has grown large already.

 

In many cases, homeowners and landlords discover termite infestations in their property for the first time when they undertake renovations and remodeling. If they’re lucky enough, the colony could be in the early stages, which makes rectification easier and possibly cheaper.

 

Regardless of the extent of the termite damage, you should seek professional service from a reputable pest control Brevard County Florida company to inspect and rectify the infestation. When left untreated, termites can cause structural damage to your property such as crumbling walls, sagging floors, stuck windows and broken door frames.

 

Entrust your termite control needs to the experts 

 

At A+ Pest & Termite, we have a complete range of termite control services including property inspections, rectification and prevention. Whether you’ve found a termite colony in your home or still suspect an infestation, contact us right away!