3 Ways to Know That You Have Termites?

Termites are not like other pests that you might see around your home.  You won’t find them crawling across your kitchen floor or flying around your head letting you know they are present. The fact is in most cases you won’t see them at all and unless you are looking for them, or more appropriately, looking for evidence of them, you probably don’t know if they are present in your home or not. There are three sure signs that you have termites:

1. You encounter a termite swarm or find evidence of one. Termite swarms are when winged termite workers emerge from the ground either outdoors or typically through their mud tunnels or direct through the lowest level of your home.  You may see these winged workers emerge or find piles of winged insects on the ground in an area of your home.  If you discover these place some in a jar so you can have them positively identified by a pest professional.
2. You discover mud tunnels or tubes somewhere in your home. Termites travel to and from the soil to their food source through these tunnels built of particles from the soil, wood, or other materials. 
3. You discover termite-damaged wood within your home. Wood damaged by termites is hollowed out, softened, crumbly, damp, or damaged wood.  You may even see termite tunnels eaten through what wood is remaining. 

The most common termites found in New Jersey are the Eastern Subterranean Termites. They got their name because they live underground, or in wet secluded areas deep within your home. The exception, of course, is a termite swarm which typically occurs in the spring when termites are looking to find their mates and create new colonies but can happen at any point in the warmer months.

Besides seeing and being able to identify a termite swarm, another sure sign of termites past or present is the discovery of mud tunnels within your home. Mud tunnels are typically found on the lowest level of a home in a basement, crawl space, or cellar on wall joists, basement walls, or possibly other areas of a home. If you discover mud tunnels on any of the higher levels of the home it means that termites are living within the home and your traditional means of treating for termites through the soil will not be effective. Any termite mud tunnel discovery should be followed by a thorough inspection of the home to ensure the structural integrity of the wood that has been affected.

Often times during a construction or remodeling project homeowners uncover wood damaged by termites. Unless you are having an annual termite inspection you really cannot tell how long termite activity has been present. Nonetheless, termite damage should be promptly addressed by a pest professional. 

Termites in New Jersey act quietly underground and deep within your home doing damage to your home’s integrity.  Visit our blog to learn more about the steps you as a homeowner can take to reduce your risk of termites.  Cowleys is a certified Sentricon specialist.  Click here to learn more about this complete termite system that will monitor and protect your home from termites and the damage they can do.