2 Signs You Have A Termite Infestation In Your Older Home's Woodwork
When parts of your home's structures are made from wood, there is always a chance that termites may become a problem. Especially if you live in an older home, the woodwork is most likely not made from treated wood, which can dramatically increase the risk of an infestation.
Because termites can cause massive destruction within a short period of time once they move in, you need to recognize their presence so that a professional pest service can deal with them promptly. Below are a couple of the signs you should be on the lookout for that indicate your older home's woodwork has a termite infestation.
1. You Find Piles of Wood Shavings and Frass
One sign you should be mindful of when trying to determine whether there are termites in your home's woodwork is the presence of small piles along the tops or at the bottoms of the molding strips. When you see these piles, look closely at their characteristics.
When termites are present, you will find powdery shavings in the piles along with frass, which is the insects' light-colored fecal material that resembles coffee grounds. As the termites continue to eat through and destroy the wood and deposit these materials outside of their nest, you will find these piles more often if you do not have a professional eradicate the pests as soon as possible.
2. You Hear Changes in the Sound of Different Areas Along the Woodwork
Another sign that you have a termite infestation in your home's woodwork can be ascertained by lightly tapping on the surfaces of the boards. While tapping with your knuckles, place your ear firmly against the surface so you can listen for changes in the quality of the sound.
In areas where the wood is still solid, you should hear a thumping noise. However, in areas where termites have eaten through the wood, you will hear hollow noises. These hollow areas will continue to spread if a professional service is not called in to take care of the infestation.
Along with finding piles of shavings and frass along the woodwork and hearing hollow areas when you thump on it, you may also see the paint on the wooden surfaces bubble up. Near these bubbles, you may see tiny pinholes that the termites are using as entry and exit points. If you suspect that your home's woodwork is infested, contact a company in your area that offers termite control services to speak with a representative about setting up an appointment for an inspection to confirm their presence so that the professionals can deal with unwanted pests.
For more information on termite control, contact a professional near you.