Besides the obvious presence of small bug-like insects or flying swarmers, you can look around your home to try and find out if termites have taken up residence with you in your home or building.



Basically, termites are discovered by property owners in one of three ways. First, when a colony swarms in the first warm part of early spring, reproductives can be seen on the inside or outside of a building moving toward the light, a window, or other lit opening.

Second, as we have already said, termites build mud tubes to pass through between the ground and a food source. These mud tubes can often be found on the outside of a slab between the earth and brick line, or on piers which form the foundation of a building.

Finally, because termites like to eat the cellulose surface of sheet rock, pin holes are left behind when sheet rock has been damaged. There also will be some mud tubes in the wood indicating that termites have been eating through the wood and making their way from one side of the area to the other.

You will probably seldom see any actual termites because they tend to avoid light and open air spaces. The mud tubesgive them the ability to operate virtually undetected while reaching their food source, food source. Therefore, destruction can be "unnoticed" as well.

If there is any area of your residence where moister has accumulated, chances are good that termites are going to be in that area. We will talk about prevention later on, but just about the only way you can tell on your own if you have termites is to look for tell-tale signs that they may be around.

While we have already described the damage, you might be better served with some visuals to help you recognize termite damage.

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