No one wants pests in their home. Mice and rats can spread disease, leave prodigious amounts of droppings and even cause breathing problems in vulnerable children and adults. Cockroaches are disgusting, scurrying for cover at the flick of a light switch and contaminating your leftovers with their nocturnal feedings. Bees and wasps can come out of nowhere and leave you with a painful sting for your trouble.
These common household pests are bad enough, but at least they cannot eat you out of house and home. Termites take pest problems to a whole new level, and if you do not act promptly, you could literally find yourself without a roof over your head.
Wood Eaters
Unlike other household pests, termites feed on wood, and that can be bad news for your Georgia home. Whether your house was built last year or decades ago, the wood frame is susceptible to termite damage, and that is why you need to know the signs of an infestation.
Being aware of the signs of a termite infestation could mean the difference between catching the problem early and dealing with it when it is far advanced. Acting quickly could literally save your home, and eternal vigilance is your best friend.
The Signs of a Termite Infestation
Termites are common pests in the state of Georgia and around the country, so it is important to be aware and know what to look for. Here are some of the most common telltale signs of a termite infestation.
- Unusual flying insects – Many people do not realize that termites can fly, so they think nothing of those strange little bugs they see sailing through the air. If you spot a strange flying critter around your home, you should suspect a termite infestation.
- Flaking and damaged wood – If you see what looks like sawdust and you have not been doing any woodworking, you could be seeing the results of termite action. Termites will bore through wood, and they often leave behind a soft powder that looks suspiciously like sawdust.
- Wood that sounds hollow – If you tap your deck and hear a hollow sound, termites could already be at work in there. Hollow-sounding wood is a classic sign of a termite infestation, and it is a sign you should not ignore.
- Blistered and discolored paint – If the paint on your home is discolored and blistered, a paint job may not be all you need. Termites can cause this kind of paint damage, so you should not dismiss it out of hand. If you thought your home just needed paint, put down the brush until you call a pest control expert.
- Mud tubes and tunnels – When termites move around, they leave distinctive mud tunnels in their wake. The presence of these mud tubes is a dead giveaway, and a great reason to call your local pest control professional.
If you think termites have invaded your home, the time to act is now. You cannot afford to wait, as these common pests can literally eat you out of house and home.
