Pest Control CT: Termite Signs To Look For
Pest Control CT Termite Signs To Look For. While termites are a serious problem in Connecticut and they do require control, they won’t destroy your home overnight. There are some warning signs of termite infestation if you know what to look for.
Termites often infest damp wood near sinks, toilets, leaky pipes, or wood that is wet from lawn sprinklers or downspouts. Wood or paper products that are in contact with the soil are especially susceptible to termite attack.
Porches, steps, terraces, fences, logs, tree stumps, utility poles, grade stakes, formboards, and planter boxes are all common infestation sites, as is firewood or wood debris stored on the ground next to the foundation of the house. Cardboard boxes or papers stacked on the ground in crawl spaces are often attacked as well.
These are some of the signs that you may have termites:
- Blistered areas on wood – Flooring, trim, or framing wood may have dark, blistered areas on the surface. Painted wood or drywall over infested wood may look “bubbly.” Actual damage is usually not noticeable on the surface of the wood.
- Galleries in wood – If you break open infested wood, it will have a honeycombed or layered appearance. Termite galleries usually run parallel with the grain and will contain a mixture of solid and digested wood, and soil. There will be no powdery sawdust piles beneath or on the wood (unless other wood damaging pests are also present).
- Mud tubes – Termites build mud tubes to travel from the soil where they live to the wood they are infesting. Look for tubes along foundation walls, piers, chimneys, plumbing, and in cracks between structural wood. Tubes are about 1/4 to 1/2 inch wide and may be short or long and branched.
- Live or dead termites – If you break open infested wood or an active mud tube, you will likely find termite workers and soldiers inside. You may see swarmers, flying especially at midday on warm, early spring days. Live or dead swarmers may be found around windows, in light fixtures, or in spider webs. You may find only the wings they shed and they usually appear to be half dead.
Often the only way to know for sure whether you have termites in your CT home is to have a professional termite inspection by a licensed pest control company. Our pest control professionals will inspect your Connecticut property inside and out. Don’t wait. If you suspect you have termites call a pest control professional today.
Call us today 888-558-1574.
