The Silent Destroyer: Spotting Termites

Termites are often called "silent destroyers" because they can chew through your home's structural beams, flooring, and wallpaper undetected for years. By the time damage is visible, it is expensive. Inspect your home regularly for these three signs.

1. Mud Tubes

Subterranean termites build pencil-sized tunnels made of mud and saliva to travel between their underground colony and your wooden food source. Look for these brown veins running up your foundation walls, crawl space piers, or exterior siding. If you break one open and see small white bugs, the infestation is active.

2. Discarded Wings

In the spring, reproductive termites "swarm" to find new mates and start new colonies. After they land, they twist their wings off. If you find piles of small, translucent wings near windowsills, doors, or light fixtures, a swarm has happened inside your home.

3. Hollow-Sounding Wood

Termites eat wood from the inside out, leaving a thin veneer of paint or timber on the surface. If you tap on baseboards or wood trim and it sounds hollow or papery, damage has occurred. In severe cases, your vacuum cleaner might punch right through a baseboard.

The Prevention Plan

• Keep mulch and soil at least 6 inches away from your foundation / siding.
• Fix leaking faucets and AC units (termites need moisture).
• Schedule an annual professional inspection.