Noticeable floor or ceiling damage If you spot noticeable blisters, cracks or sags on any of these surfaces, there's a high possibility that termites are present. Another way to detect termite-inflicted damage is to knock on timber around your house. If it sounds hollow, it is likely termites have eaten away at it.
Damage under Paint or Wallpaper
An unusual appearance on painted or wallpapered surfaces can also be an early sign of termites. If you look carefully, you can see signs of termite damage underneath, such as: Small pinholes where termites have eaten through. Bubbling paint.
Termite damage sometimes appears similar to water damage. Outward signs of termite damage include buckling wood, swollen floors and ceilings, areas that appear to be suffering from slight water damage and visible mazes within walls or furniture. Termite infestations also can exude a scent similar to mildew or mold.
Common signs of termite damage to a wall include:
Small pin holes, where termites have eaten through the paper coating on drywall and/or wallpaper. You may see dirt in a hole made by subterranean termites. Drywood termites do not leave soil behind. Faint 'lines' on drywall.
The Imposters. The insects most commonly confused for termites are flying ants. The most common species of ants to take flight around your house are carpenter ants, but they're by no means the only ones. Other would-be imposters include moisture ants, black garden ants and pavement ants.
Termites will not go away on their own. We bet you know why. While many pests need to find a food source inside your home in order to stay, termites do not. Your home IS the food they eat.
What chemical kills termites? There are two main chemicals used to kill termites—fipronil and hexaflumuron. Fipronil is the specially designed chemical used as an active ingredient in many different liquid termiticides. In high enough concentrations, it can kill termites on contact.
The Trouble With Termites
Termites themselves aren't harmful to humans. However, colonies of these insects can cause billions of dollars of damage each year. While they can be destructive to the structure of your home, they can destroy more than just your house.
How Long Do Termites Ruin Your Foundations? Destructive termites take about 3 to 8 years to inflict noticeable damage to your property--this will still depend on the species of termite and the mature size of their nest. A colony consisting of 60,000 termites can eat 2x4 wood within 5 months.
Leaky pipes, improper drainage, and poor airflow all create moisture issues that attract termites. Dampwood and subterranean termites in particular thrive in humid environments. While dampwood termites prefer water-damaged wood, subterranean termites are unable to live unless surrounded by enough moisture.
Winged swarming termites emerge from cracks in your walls and foundation in large numbers. They can also come out though holes in the soil in your yard. They emerge through swarm tubes made by worker termites. Unfortunately for them, not every termite survives to form a new colony.
Termites take a very short time to spread. Within a few days, they can multiply to what's considered an infestation. Homeowners need to take every percaussion possible, and be sure to act quickly in order to protect their homes.
When people initially spot termites, they typically see the swarmer-type termite. This bug looks a lot like a winged ant, but it has several noteworthy differences, such as: White, transparent wings with rounded tips that are the same length. A tiny body no longer than a quarter of an inch.
Although termite damage may be reversed through professional repair, homeowners should first call a local termite specialist. Repairs should not be made until a licensed pest professional has confirmed that there are no longer termites present and the risk of further infestation has been eliminated.
Drywood termite infestations typically begin when swarmers (alates) locate a crevice in the wood of your home, dig out a little nest and seal themselves inside. Then, they begin producing eggs to build their colony.
Ant and termite swarmers are most widespread during evenings. You'll most likely see them in a huge huddle flying around a streetlight or near lights in your backyard or porch. The warm and humid temperature at night is highly favorable for these winged ants and flying termites.
Some species swarm at night and are attracted to light sources. Other species will swarm in daylight, but all drywood termites tend to swarm after rain at particular times of the year.
Vinegar diluted in water or vinegar mixed with lemon juice is the most powerful termite killer. Other solutions, depending on your tastes, are also available. After you've made the solution, spray it throughout the house in any areas where termites might be hiding. Spray the mix in the visible holes.
Workers and soldiers live approximately one to two years. Queen termites may survive for over a decade under optimal climate conditions.
Mud tubes on the floors or walls. Paint that is bubbling and/or cracked – usually with frass coming out of the cracks. Wood surfaces that seem to be sunken in or cratered. Wings or bodies of termites.
All types of termite species can take up residence in numerous areas within your California home. While the exterior foundations and wooden siding on the home are the most common locations to find termite infestations, they are not the only areas where there could be termite colonies within the home.