Does My House Need A Termite Inspection?
Termites are a type of insect that eat wood, making them a potentially costly pest to have to deal with because they can cause tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage to the structure of your house. There are several different types of termites, including subterranean termites, dampwood termites, drywood termites, conehead termites, and more. Depending on the species of termite, they can live in colonies that have thousands or even millions of individual termites, meaning that infestations can get out of hand and cause damage to the home they are infesting in remarkably quickly. For this reason, it’s important to be able to spot the signs of a termite infestation in your home so you can do something about it before the damage is already done. In this article, we’ll talk about the signs of a potential termite infestation, as well as what you can expect when you call a pest control professional for a termite inspection! If you have any questions about termites or believe that your New Orleans area home may need a termite inspection, please contact our team at Pied Piper Pest Control today by calling us at (504) 366-1333!
Signs Of A Termite Infestation
There are a few different telltale signs of a termite infestation that you should keep an eye out for in order to prevent termite infestations that can cause tens of thousands of dollars in property damage! One of the most common signs of a termites infestation is the presence of discarded wings in and around your home. Termite swarmers, the reproductive members of termite colonies, have pale-colored wings that they discard once they’ve found a mate. Swarmers are attracted to light, so their wings will often be discarded near windowsills and entryways where they may be spending some of their time.
Another sign of a termite infestation is the presence of mud tubes. Subterranean termites use mud tubes, which are hollow tubes of dirt, to transport themselves between the ground and whatever wooden structure they may be feeding on (like your house, for instance). Mud tubes are typically about the width of a pencil and can be found running along walls, ceilings, and home foundations. If you knock down a mud tube and notice it has been repaired or replaced a few days later, it means that the termite infestation is still active.
One more telltale sign of a termite infestation is the presence of damage that is caused by these dangerous pests. Termite damage has a relatively distinct look that sometimes is compared to water damage. Some common termite damage symptoms include wood that is blistering or buckling, hollowed out wooden beams, swollen walls or ceilings, and visible maze-like patterns within a wooden structure. You may also notice small pinholes in your walls that termites are using to enter and exit the area that is actively being eaten.
How Does A Termite Inspection Work?
When you hire a pest control professional to perform a termite inspection on your property, they’ll be on the lookout for three main things: signs of a current infestation, signs of a past infestation, and vulnerabilities in the home that could lead to future infestations. Termite inspectors will closely examine both the interior and exterior of the home to look for termite damage and the entry points they may have used to gain access to the house. Termite control professionals will also be able to spot issues that may have led to the infestation or could lead to future infestations, like damp wood, standing water, and wood on the outside of the home that may be giving termites easy access into your home. Once the inspection is complete, the termite inspector will provide you with recommendations on what to do next depending on their findings!
Contact Pied Piper Pest Control!
If you have any questions about termites, termite inspections, or if you believe your New Orleans area home is being damaged by these insects, please don’t hesitate to contact our team at Pied Piper Pest Control! We have years of experience dealing with termites and can deal with the problem quickly, efficiently, & affordably! Give us a call at (504) 366-1333 or fill out the contact form on our website, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!