If you are a property owner, you will always want to make sure that you are keeping your home in good condition. One risk that people in certain areas of the country face, which could affect the structure and condition of their property, is termites. If you do have termites, they can chew through anything made of wood, including decks, wood beams and other parts of your home that you enjoy or rely on for support. For those wondering, "Do I have termites?", there are various termite warning signs to look out for.
Wood Sounds Hollow
If you have any exposed wood beams or termites that could have affected a deck that you are concerned about, you could check the condition of the wood by knocking on it. The termites have a habit of starting to hollow out wood that they are chewing through. In these situations, if you knock on the wood, it would give a hollow sound. If this is the case, it could be due to an infestation of termites that should be controlled as soon as possible.
Stuck Windows or Doors
Another sign that you have an issue with termites in your home is that your doors and windows are stuck. When termites start attacking a wood door or window frame, they can start to expand and change the size of the frame due to additional moisture getting in. Before too long, you may notice that it is hard to even open or close the doors and windows. As this could be due to other issues with your home, such as structural challenges, you should call in a professional for a full inspection.
Patterns in Wood
If you are concerned about termites in your home, you should also look at all wood baseboards, flooring, furniture and doorframes. If termites have gotten into these places, you will soon see a track in the wood. Most people would categorize this as looking like a maze that is running through the wood. These are likely paths that the termites have used repeatedly to continue to dig through their target. This wood will also start to look warped and crumby due to the damage caused by the insects.
Leftover Wings
You should also be concerned about termites if you notice that there are odd-looking wings in your home. When termites begin to swarm, they will eventually shed their wings throughout your home. If you notice a pile of them suddenly in the corner of your room, it can be a clear sign that a termite infestation is growing.
If you do notice that you have termites, it is important that you call in a professional as soon as you can. As termites can grow in population quickly, they can start to cause a lot of damage that will be expensive to repair. A local termite and insect control specialist will be able to identify if you do have termites and provide a treatment plan that will help to get rid of them and prevent infestations from coming back.