Termites in your wall, those tiny but mighty destroyers of homes, can silently wreak havoc on your property. Ignoring the signs of termites in your walls can lead to costly structural damage. The telltale signs go from mud tubes and damaged wood to discarded wings and noises.
Explore how to detect termites in walls, find out their subtle hints, and learn effective methods for prevention and treatment. Don't let these sneaky pests undermine your home and peace of mind – let's dive into the solution!
How To Detect Termites In Walls?
These elusive insects often go unnoticed until significant damage has occurred. Understanding how to tell if you have termites in your walls is key to preventing further infestation. Take a look at the most common early warning signs of termite nests in the wall!
1. Mud Tubes
Subterranean termites, one of the most common termite species, build mud tubes that they use for shelter and to travel between their nests and food sources. These tubes may be visible on the exterior of your walls, foundation, or other wooden structures.
2. Wood Damage
Termites feed on cellulose in wood, which can lead to hollowed or damaged wood. Termite holes in the wall are visible! Plus, tap on walls, wooden beams, or other structures to check for a hollow or papery sound, which can be a sign of termite damage.
3. Discarded Wings
When termites swarm and establish new colonies, they shed their wings. If you find discarded wings lying around your home, especially near windowsills or doors, it could indicate a nearby termite colony.
4. Frass Or Termite Droppings
Drywood termites often expel their feces, known as frass, through small holes in the wood. Noticing tiny piles of what looks like sawdust or small pellets near wooden surfaces may be a sign of termite activity.
5. Sagging Or Bubbling Paint
Termites can cause the paint on walls or ceilings to bubble or peel as they create tunnels underneath. Yes, the paint on your walls is one more victim of these nasty pests. Investigate for further termite damage if you notice these signs.
6. Cracked Or Warped Walls
As you know, termites consume wood. Because of that, they can cause structural changes, leading to walls that appear cracked, buckled, or warped. When you face something like that at your home, do not hesitate to take prompt action!
7. Noises
While termites themselves are typically silent, you might hear faint rustling or tapping sounds if you put your ear close to an infested area. However, these noises are often too subtle to rely on as the sole indicator of a termite infestation.
8. Visible Termites
In some cases, you might actually see termites, especially during swarming seasons when they emerge from colonies to establish new ones. Termites are small, pale, and ant-like, but they have straight antennae and a thick waist. Check the image to see it yourself!
Can You Hear Termites In Walls?
Termites are usually silent invaders, but, in some cases, you may wonder if you can hear them at work. If you are a careful listener you might hear some noise at night, when the house is quiet. Although, that is not common, so we recommend trusting other signs to tell their presence in your beautiful wood walls.
What Do Termites Sound Like In Walls?
Termites are generally very quiet insects, and you typically won't hear them making sounds within walls. They do not produce audible noises like buzzing, chirping, or scratching that some other household bugs, like roaches or wasps, might create.
While termites themselves may not produce audible sounds, their destructive activities can create subtle noises. Some associate rattling, rustling, and clicking with termite activity. Have you heard any of these sounds? Investigate and find out if they are really coming from termites!
How To Treat Termites In Walls?
Once you have confirmed a termite infestation, it is crucial to take immediate action. Termite treatment methods vary depending on the severity and type of termites involved. Getting rid of any house bug involves taking action right away!
Some of the most common and effective treatments for you to know how to kill termites in the wall include:
- liquid termiticides;
- termite baiting systems;
- foaming or dusting;
- heat treatments;
- fumigation; and
- physical removal and repair.
Plus, if you prefer natural substances, orange oil and diatomaceous earth are common home remedies for termites in walls.
Only homeyou’s pest control team will give you back your peace of mind without termites living in your walls. Call them as soon as you suspect these insects are there to avoid even more damage.
