Termite Control and Treatment in New Jersey

What Are The Signs Of An Infestation?

Termites may be small and hard to detect, but the damage they cause for New Jersey homeowners and businesses can be astronomical. According to a recent report from the EPA, termite damage costs billions of dollars all across America each year.

12 Signs of Termites

How can you tell if these vicious insects are gnawing away at the wooden structures in your home or business? If you see one, chances are there are thousands more that you can’t see. Most homeowners’ insurance plans won’t cover such damages, as they require a separate policy.

The good news is that you can detect a termite infestation and do something about it before they do irreparable damage. These tell-tale signs indicate you have an issue that can’t be ignored, and you have a possible termite infestation.

1. Damaged or Hollowed-Out Wood

If you knock on a wall, door, or floorboard in your home, hearing a bit of echo is normal. However, noticing a weak, hollow sound is a sign of damage that needs immediate attention. Termites secretly hide behind walls and other wooden structures and do their dirty work from the inside.

As these miniature monsters gobble through the wood’s cellulose cells, they hollow it out in a series of twisted labyrinths. Before long, the structure is damaged and weak and is at risk of breaking or falling. You may also notice thin spots and holes appearing as the area continues to deteriorate.

2. Severe Structural Damage

Over a short period, termites can cause visible damage to walls, floors, beams, joists, porches, and any wooden structures. Such damage can cause these buildings to collapse, posing an immediate danger to you and your loved ones.

3. Strange Smells

Wet, water-damaged wood is a virtual smorgasbord for a swarm of termites. They are drawn to the dampness like children are to candy. Such a moist environment is also a potential breeding ground for mildew, fungi, and dangerous black mold.

These microscopic organisms have a distinct, musty smell and may signal that your family’s health is in jeopardy. If you smell or see mold, it could be a hideout for a termite infestation. It’s imperative to fix leaky pipes and other causes of water damage as soon as possible before nasty microbes and termites become an issue.

4. Termite Droppings

What comes in must come out, and termites are no exception. If you have a dry wood termite issue, they are the ones that feast on wood. Since they didn’t want their tiny droppings to impede their mazes, they bore holes and pushed them out.

Termite droppings, called frass, resemble small piles of fine sawdust. You may see it along floorboards, windowsills, and any place the termites have invaded. It’s their calling card and your notice to get help from a professional.

5. Door and Window Damage

What could be more frustrating than a warped door or window that’s difficult to open and close? Sometimes, it can be issues like water damage or wearing out due to age. On the other hand, termites can weaken wooden doors, windows, sills, and frames.

6. Mud Tubes

Subterranean termites tunnel underground to find the ideal place to build colonies and breed, like your warm house. You may discover small tubes of dirt running along the ground to your home. If you don’t stop them in their tracks, you may face an infestation and costly termite damage.

7. Flying Termites

It’s a bird and a plane; no, it’s an army of winged termites. The dreaded termite mating season begins as soon as the warm spring days arrive. For the Garden State, it’s usually March or early April. Both male and female dry wood termites swarm with temporary wings to mate and start new colonies.

Seeing swarms of these flying nuisances around your home is a red alert. After mating, they look for a warm wooden structure to colonize. Being proactive with professional exterminators can remove the welcome mat for invading termites.

8. Blistering and Buckling in Floors

Even if you don’t have hardwood flooring, the joists, and other supporting structures are wood and may be tempting treats for termites. Do you feel weak spots or uneven buckling when walking through your home? It may be a structural issue, or you could have an unwelcome swarm of termites eating away under your floors.

9. Shed Wings from Flying Termites

Drywood termites have naturally evolved with a quick wardrobe change that suits them well. Once they’ve mated and squatted on a structure with plenty of wood, their temporary wings fall off painlessly. They usually rub against their entryway and leave their wings in a tell-tell pile.

Have you seen dried wings littered by your window or door seals along the floor? Unfortunately, these destructive insects have left their calling card to inform you they’ve taken residence in your home. They’ll start chewing into your walls and floors to build new colonies.

10. Live Termites Crawling Around

Of course, discovering live termites crawling around your house or business is obvious. There are probably countless more hiding in their nests that aren’t visible. It won’t take them long to cause dangerous and costly damage.

11. Loose Tiles and Squeaky Floors

Have you ever walked on the floors of an old house, and the boards squeaked with each step? The tiles in the kitchen or bathroom may feel loose in spots. Sometimes, these problems are due to age, often from continued termite damage.

12. Drywall Blistering and Buckling

Wherever there’s wood in a home, it’s a siren call to invasive termites. Since drywall has a covering of wood-based paper, termites will eat and tunnel through it. You may see blistering in your wall and ceiling paint or wallpaper, and they may buckle from weakness.

Knowing When It’s Time To Call For Help

Don’t allow these invasive insects to destroy the home or business you’ve worked so hard to have. Professional exterminators in New Jersey know how to eliminate termites and keep them from invading again. Spring is officially here, and it’s an excellent time to inspect your place before the swarming begins.