5 Ways to Know If Your Home is Under Attack By Termites:

Out of the approximately 2,000 known species of termites, the most common type you will encounter in the PAKISTAN is the subterranean termites. These termites are social insects that live in colonies in the soil.

The three main classes of subterranean termites that you may come across are alates (swarmers), soldiers, and workers. Each of these classes have their respective responsibilities, such as searching for food, feeding other termites in the colony, defending the colony, and creating other colonies.

The main sources of food for subterranean termites are wood and any cellulose-based material such as paper. Which is why, in the search for food, these insects will make their way into your home through the wood-based material connecting your house to the ground, or through tiny cracks in concrete walls and foundations, or even through mud tunnels they create. It is also important to remember that these termites work 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so it won’t take long for them to infest your home.

Here are some signs that can indicate the presence of termites in your home

1. Mud Tubes/Tunnels:

The most obvious sign that helps determine the presence of termites is mud tunnels. Sometimes, in order for them to be protected from any outside threats and have safe passage between their colony and their food source, termites create mud tunnels using their faeces, saliva and mud.

If you notice these in your home, then it is very likely your house is under a termite attack.

2. Damaged Wood:

Termites eat away wood on the inside, leaving the exterior structure completely intact. However, one way to still detect the presence of termites is the observance of distinct patterns on the infested wood structure.

Also, if knocking on the structure produces a hollow sound, this is another indicator that the structure’s interior has been eaten away. Further signs are the crumbling of the wood structure when pressure is applied to it, and the peeling of paint.

3. Swarmers and their Wings:

Termite swarmers are dark brown/black-coloured male and female reproductives that indicate the presence of a mature colony either inside your home or within the vicinity of your home. These swarmers emerge from their colony in search of other suitable areas to start their own colonies with their mates. They are the only class of termites that have wings and they drop their wings right before they find a suitable place to nest.

So if you see swarmers or a pile of dropped wings around your house, this is a clear sign of an active termite colony. Termite swarmers are also attracted to light, so if you happen to see a group of swarmers near a light source, this too can be an indicator of a termite infestation.

Special Note: Termite swarmers can be mistaken for flying ants but they can be differentiated by their antennae, body and wing size. If in doubt, do reach out to a pest control professional who can assist you in the matter.

4. Clicking/Rattling Sounds:

Soldier termites are the line of defence for the colony. If ever a threat is sensed, the soldiers would be at the forefront to protect the worker termites and attack the predators. But, more importantly, if soldier termites sense any danger, they warn the rest of the colony by banging their heads against the wood or by shaking their bodies.

These defensive actions are what produces the clicking/rattling sounds that we hear coming from the walls or wooden structures.

5. Debris Piles:

If you regularly keep your house clean and still see random piles of debris at the bottom of wooden structures such as door frames, cupboards and tables the very next day, this too can be a indicator of a termite infestation.

People often say ‘ignorance is bliss’, but when it comes to termites, we always say ‘the more you know, the better’. Termites are well known to cause home/building owners millions in property damage, so they cannot be overlooked. If you happen to observe any of these signs, be sure to get in touch with a licensed termite professional immediately.

We, at Pestex, have been in the termite control industry for the last 30 years. So, you can be absolutely certain that we will provide you with the best solution to protect your home from termites and prevent any future attacks.

It is also important to understand that, even if you do not observe any of the above signs of termite activity, this does not necessarily guarantee their absence. Termites are experts in going undetected, which is why if you do begin to see these signs of termite activity, it may be only months or even years after they have invaded your home. By this time, they will have already established their colony and caused significant structural damage.

As market leaders in this industry, our professional advice is to stay one step ahead and prevent your home from falling victim to a termite infestation. Contact Pestex today to schedule a free termite inspection.

Termites cause damages worth billions of dollars in structures each year.