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The longer a termite infestation goes on, the more damage the termites will do to your home. This is why it’s essential to discover an infestation early on and have it removed. Luckily, termites do leave some outward signs that can be detected. Let’s take a closer look at what you need to keep an eye out for if you live in an area that is at risk for infestation.

Mud tubes

Subterranean termites will infest the home from beneath, since they build their colonies underground. However, like most termites, they cannot really survive outside of their own colony, so in order to reach wood that is above the ground or separated by an obstacle, the termites will build mud tubes to connect to the wood. If you see these tubes on the foundation of your home, or inside your basement, you can be almost completely certain that you have an infestation. Subterranean termites do sometimes build temporary scouting tubes to search for wood, but if they find wood through these tubes, they will start an infestation.

Visible damage on the wood

Termite damage takes a long time to become visible on the surface of the wood. This is because termites eat the wood from the inside out, sticking close to the core before spreading out to the edges. However, once the infestation reaches an advanced enough stage, the wood will start to show signs of damage. These signs can include everything from bubbling paint, to sagging floors and ceilings, and the appearance of water damage.

Exit holes and frass

Certain termite species, such as the drywood and the dampwood termites will build their colonies inside the wood directly, which makes them a lot harder to detect. However, since they are inside the wood, they will generate a lot of waste in the colony, waste that has to be removed. In order to evacuate this waste, the termites will build tiny exit holes in the surface of the wood, and they will push out the waste through these holes. The waste, also known as frass, has the appearance of sawdust, with insect parts and other debris inside it. If you notice tiny holes in the wood, or sawdust-looking material in your home, you may have an infestation. For more information about the signs that termites leave behind during an infestation or if you notice these signs in your home, contact us today.