Wherever there is wood or moisture, there is also a potential for a termite problem. Termites can infest just about anything wooden—and the worst part is that most of their destruction takes place when no one notices. Staying ensconced within wood or their own tube networks, their presence is difficult for most people to detect. However, it’s possible to tell if they’ve damaged your home if you know what to look for.

5 Signs Termites Have Damaged Your Home

1. Tiny Mud Tubes

Termites transport food to their nests via a series of brown tunnels, which are approximately the width of a pen or smaller. If termites have invaded your home, you’ll probably spot some of these near entrances to major nesting areas—typically in crawlspaces or close to foundations.

2. Bubbling Paint

This sign on its own does not signify a termite infestation, as it primarily occurs because of excess moisture. However it often accompanies other signs of termite damage, as the insects tend to transport water into their nests and in doing so, might end up ruining paint jobs.

3. Frass

Frass generally refers to droppings or dead skin left behind by an insect. Termite frass, in particular, has the appearance of sawdust and is often left near the entrances to their mud tubes.

4. Sounds

When alarmed, termites knock their mandibles against wood to alert others to potential danger. To the human ear, this sounds like finger tapping. If you hear this sound coming from wooden parts of your home, it means you have a heavy infestation, and there has likely been extensive damage already.

5. Honeycomb Patterns

Termites tend to eat wood from the inside out, along the grain, leaving a honeycomb pattern in their wake. This doesn’t usually become apparent until major damage has been done or if the wood has collapsed, as the pattern usually shows up on the inside of wood.

If you suspect termites have infested your home, get in touch with Moore Pest Control as soon as possible. Using a multifaceted approach to insect control, they’ll curb your infestation and provide advice as to how to avoid future termite problems. For questions or to schedule an inspection, give the Hughes Springs, TX-based pest control service a call at (903) 639-2884, or visit their website to learn more about their services.