Controlling The Pests So They Don't Control You

The sight of termites on your property may not scare you. However, these sneaky insects can wreak havoc on your property. You have to be alert to any signs of termite infestation as they might go unnoticed for a very long time. Once you notice the following signs, you can organize for termite control.

Presence of Swarmers

Swarmers roaming around your property are the first sign of a termite infestation. These winged termites always emerge from their nests in large groups. They might do so during rains, and they usually appear at night. You can't miss the presence of swarmers as they are attracted to light sources. They emerge from their nest to find mates. 

Mud Tubes

Another sign you can't miss is the presence of mud tubes. If you look closely at your walls or nearby trees, you'll see tubes that look like veins. Termites use their saliva, droppings, and soil to make the tubes. Termites use these structures to travel around your property. They also use them to protect them from the scorching sun.

You can quickly tell whether the mud tubes are active or not by destroying a small part. If you find termites, then they are active. 

Discarded Wings

Now that you know swarmers have wings, you can tell you have termites on your property if you spot wings. Once swarmers escape their nests, they can't fly for long. As such, they'll discard their wings and crawl instead. You'll find groups of wings lying around your home. The wings are often near light sources because swarmers are attracted to them.

Tiny Noises

If you have got a good sense of hearing, you might notice faint noises coming from your walls. Soldier termites will bang their heads once they detect danger. They can also shake their abdomens to alert the colony of danger. You might also hear worker termites eating your woodwork as they are noisy eaters. 

Termite Droppings

Another sign you need to look for is termite droppings. You can't miss their dropping as they are pretty distinct. Remember, these insects feed on wood, and their droppings will have a light brownish look. The droppings mostly resemble sawdust, and they are commonly found in wood crevices. 

Termite Damage

You can easily tell you need termite control if you can spot damage on your wooden structures. Once termites attack wood, they will leave rough troughs. The wood will look like it was attacked using carving knives. Remember not to mistake termites for carpenter ants, as the latter leaves smooth channels.