New, Unwanted Roommates: Early Warning Signs Of Termite Infestation
It's unlikely that someone could move into your home without you knowing about it. However, it's certainly possible for something to move into your home without your knowledge. When termites move into a person's home, they tend to keep a low profile. You may be unaware of a termite infestation until the colony is well-established. By this point, considerable damage may have been done to the wooden structures of your home, and extensive extermination measures will be needed. How can you identify the early signs of termite infestation, before the situation gets any worse?
Migration
It's logical to think that the first sign of termite infestation is actually seeing termites, although this isn't necessarily the case. You may see alate termites (known as swarmers), which can fly, allowing for winged migration. The alate termites leave existing colonies in search of a mate to reproduce, allowing the establishment of a new colony. You may not necessarily notice the arrival of any swarmers, meaning the new termite colony can have established itself without your knowledge. Additionally, flightless termites (soldiers and workers) can enter your home without being preceded by alate termites.
Pinholes
Because you may not see any actual termites, the most obvious signs of infestation are generally damage inflicted by the growing colony. There may be small pinholes in your walls, looking similar to when a thumbtack is pressed into the drywall. You might notice tiny piles of dust on the floor when these pinholes are towards the base of the wall. These are, in fact, termite droppings (also called termite frass). The holes are essentially waste disposal systems, allowing the termites to expel their feces from their burrows.
Other Signs
In addition to these telltale pinholes, small bubbles may appear under paint and wallpaper, as termites emerge from the wall beneath and disturb the wall's covering. Paint and wallpaper may eventually begin to peel away from the wall. Small, delicate lines may appear on drywall, indicating termite movement directly beneath the surface. Ultimately, the wooden baseboard at the base of the wall will become noticeably eroded, as will any wooden crown molding at the top of the wall. Without extermination of your termite problem, these sections will begin to crumble. Eventually, all wooden components of your home (including its frame) will be in jeopardy.
Assistance
Should you notice any of these warning signs, don't delay. You must contact a company that provides residential termite control in your area. The quicker you act, the less invasive any extermination needs to be. Mild to moderate infestations can be eliminated with handheld spraying, where you don't need to vacate the property for an extended length of time. Major infestations mean the property may need to be tented for contained fumigation, and you'll need to find alternative accommodation for a brief period.
Any suspected termite infestation must be investigated as soon as they're noticed. Any delay allows the problem to grow worse, and without intervention, it certainly will. For more information on residential termite control, contact a company like Freedom Termite & Pest Control, Inc.