Termites often first emerge during the spring where the swarmers will come out to mate. Later, the fertile females will look for a new nesting site. Often when young queens first find a nesting site they don’t give many signs of their presence. You might only see small discarded wings. As the season progresses, the young queen can have a thriving colony and all before the height of summer. Often it’s the later signs of a termite infestation that finally gets noticed as now the thriving colony is destroying your home. A-Tex Pest Management will share extended termite infestation signs and how professional termite treatment is the cure.
Early Signs of Termites
Early signs of a future, immature termite colony starts with swarmers that can be seen during the spring. Swarmers are the reproductive male and female termites that have wings and fly as they leave their home colony to mate. The males die shortly after mating. The female will go and look for a suitable nesting ground. Once they do, they will remove their wings. The sight of their wings, as well as the swarmers, are an early warning that there are termites nearby or in your home. As the season progresses the termite colony will grow and eventually show extended signs of their activities.
Extended Signs of Termite Activity
When termite colonies are left unchecked and early warning signs go unnoticed, extended termite activity can reveal a number of additional signs of their presence. Mud tunnels are a common trait of a thriving colony. Termite workers will build mud tunnels of sawdust tunnels to provide protection from predators. Some species are sensitive to heat and also use the tunnels to help stay cooler as they move from site to site. Termite tunnels can be seen near the foundations of homes, near trees, and even inside the home along the edges of the floor on wood trim and on the ceilings.
Old or New Termite Frass
Another common sign of termite activity is their frass. Frass is the small mound of sawdust or tiny wood particles from the termites as they consume wood. The frass will accumulate in small mounds or piles and often you can find the holes and openings where the termites have entered from. You can also often hear termites in the walls. If you tap on the wall, wood or trees where the termites are feeding, you can put your ear against the walls and hear clicking noises. Soldier termites produce the clicking sound when the colony is in danger or disturbed.
Termite Damaged Wood
When termites begin to feed on painted wood often the paint will bubble and become uneven. This is due to moisture building up inside the wood. Termites will feed on a number of wooden features inside the home such as wood floors, baseboards, trim and framing. Termites will feed on wood until it's hollowed-out, often you can stick a butter knife through the wood as a test.
Termite Inspections, Control Treatment & More in Round Rock, Leander, Pflugerville, Cedar Park & Austin Texas
Termites can reveal themselves directly or through their activity. When early or late signs of termites are discovered, seek professional assistance immediately. A-Tex Pest Management can help treat your home for termites and other invasive pests. Contact A-Tex Pest Management today.