Dealing With a Termite Infestation: Common Signs and Treatment Options

Did you know that termite infestation cost racks up to $40 billion per year, affecting 600,000 US homes? It’s one of the biggest silent threats any homeowner can deal with.

The problem is most people don’t know they have a termite infestation until it’s too late. Those who do see the early warning signs of termite damage can still fail to exterminate the pests.

We’ve got an in-depth guide prepared to help you fight back from an infestation. Learn how to identify a termite-infested house early and the different solutions you can rely on below.

Signs of Termites

The first step in eliminating a pest is to make sure you target the right ones. You can’t do this unless you know for sure you have termites. Keep in mind that the methods of eliminating termites don’t always work with other pests and vice versa.

Swarm Remnants

One easy sign to look out for is a swarm remnant. Look for places outside your home and around corners where termites might go in and out. If you spot tons of termite wings, it’s a high possibility that they nest somewhere in your home.

Remnants don’t always mean the termites are in your home. They could nest somewhere within the area. However, this is an early visual sign that you have a termite nest nearby.

Once you spot a bunch of wings, try to trace where they come from. If it leads back to your home, it’s time to look for the next following signs of an infestation.

Mud Tubes

Mud tubes or termite tubes are a clear indication of an infestation. Subterranean termites can’t live without sufficient moisture. They use their saliva, mud, and wood to create mud tunnels that lock in moisture and protect them from harm.

Found a mud tube running up your walls, ceiling, or furniture? Try to crack it open. You might find termites already nested inside.

If this is the case, you need to call for professional help. Mud tubes are a sign that the termites already burrowed their way in and out of your home. DIY methods won’t be much help if the infestation is already getting out of hand.

Dents and Hollowed Walls

Take a look at your walls. You might not see mud tubes but this could be because they’re inside the walls. Fortunately, there are ways to identify tubes running within the walls.

Start by checking for indents in the wall.

Look for cracks and areas where the wall presses inwards. Using your fingers, try to press down. If it’s a soft spot, there’s likely a termite tunnel on the other side.

Do you have thick wood walls? Give them a few taps. If you spot hollow areas, there could be termites burrowing and tunneling on the other side.

Structural Indications

Extreme termite infestations can lead to dangerous structural concerns. If you notice a wall or ceiling beginning to sag, there might be termites targeting the foundations. Termites might have already gone through the majority of your wall and ceiling padding too.

If this is the case, seek out professional termite treatment immediately! If you don’t, your house could collapse without warning. This is the worst-case scenario when it comes to termite infestations.

You may have to replace some of your furniture, walls, and ceilings. Use chemically-treated pressurized wood. Treated wood is termite-resilient, ensuring you won’t have to deal with another infestation.

Termite Droppings

Have you ever seen termite droppings? They resemble sawdust a bit. You can identify them by their elongated, six-sided shape and varying colors.

You’ll often find termite droppings in one spot. This is because termites tend to feast and produce waste together. Once you see a few mounds of droppings, look around the same general area for mud tubes or dents on the wall.

Termite droppings are also a good indication of the most recent termite activity. You might be able to locate where they are right now or where the termites currently nest inside your house.

DIY Termite Infestation Treatment

Verified that you have a termite infestation? The next step is to get rid of them before it becomes a bigger problem. There aren’t a lot of things you can do on your own, unfortunately.

Orange Oil

One DIY technique is to spread orange oil. You can also place sliced orange slices around corners and places where you found traces of termite activity. Try to focus on recently attacked areas of your home.

Placing these around your home can deter termites from spreading around. These slices contain a rich amount of d-limonene, a chemical compound that termites avoid.

Fight Off Moisture

Another method is to eliminate moisture in your home. Termites survive in moist environments. You’ll need to let the sun and install a dehumidifier in some rooms and the basement.

Professional Terminate Infestation Treatment

Has the infestation already spread across your home? Not sure if you want to waste time risking DIY methods?

It’s always better to call for a professional. Hiring an expert pest control service is a sure-fire way of getting rid of all the termites in your home. These experts not only have the chemicals and tools for the job, but they also have the training and experience required to get it done right.

Prioritize exterminators from your local area. This ensures they can arrive and deal with the problem on the same day. Always read reviews and make sure to check photos or videos to see the quality of their work.

Deal With a Termite Infestation Now

Now you know how to identify and deal with a termite infestation in your home. Check for mud tunnels, dents in the wall, and signs of termite droppings. If you verify there is an infestation, don’t hesitate to call expert exterminators as soon as you can.

Of course, keeping your safe home and beautiful doesn’t end with these tips. For more home advice, continue reading our other guides today. We also have articles tackling business, vaping, CBD, and more!