The life span of a typical termite is about three years. According to our termite specialist in Malaysia, termites can cause considerable damage to your property in that short amount of time!
However, if you know how to spot these pests before they settle into your home or business, then you are well on the way to protecting yourself from their costly and destructive habits.
In this blog post we will discuss 6 things you should check for during a termite inspection!
Check for termite droppings in the attic
Among the places you need to check for termites is the attic. They may be inside the walls or attic floorboards, so you need to take a good look around. You can spot droppings, but if they are not there then check for sawdust while checking your insulation and wall spaces. In addition to these, you should also check for small chips or cracks on any of your wooden furnishings and walls.
Termites are often attracted to the attic because it is often dark and cool, and it also has lesser human activity which means termites can roam around as much as they want.
Look for wood that is infested with termites
The next thing to check is for wood that is infested with termites. If you spot nail holes or markings on the wood as well as a brittle or powdery appearance, then it’s likely they are there and could be causing damage to other areas of your home!
If you find such a thing, remove the wood right away from your property so that the termites don’t spread and continue to cause damage.
Look for discolored, moist or dusty wallpaper due to termites
Another thing that you should check is for discolored, moist or dusty wallpapers whether it’s on your walls, doors or windows. Termites can be attracted by anything with cellulose content like wall paper so they may be eating it away!
Furthermore, if you notice your wallpaper peeling or paint is bubbling, then it’s a good sign that there are termites in the area!
Inspect the soil around your house for termite holes
The area surrounding your house could be filled with termites and one way to determine that is by inspecting the soil around your house. If you notice any holes or white-like worms in the ground, then that’s a sign of termites that could be living underground!
Often times, termites such as subterranean termites will create tunnels in the soil. These critters will be seen on the ground near the entrance of these tunnels so be sure to take note of it when you see one!
Check plumbing pipes for termites
The next place that you want to inspect is around the water pipes or places that can give these critters water source. Termites cannot retain water so they need a constant supply to survive.
Look for leaks, pet water bowls, standing water, and anything that could be providing a water source for the termites. If you have these things in your property, remove them right away so you don’t give these critters a reason to stay.
Inspect your basement for signs of termites
Your basement is dark, damp and a perfect place for termites to thrive.
It is a good idea to inspect your basement if you notice any dampness on the walls, standing water and even ground that gives way when stepped on!
A few things to look out for when inspecting the basement are frass, mud tubes and termite trails.
Inspecting this area can also help determine whether or not there are other pests in the home such as rats, mice and ants too.
Wrap Up
In this blog post, we’ve discussed 6 things you should check for during a termite inspection. If you find any of these signs on your property, it may be time to call in the professionals!
Our team at Zip Pest Control is always ready to help homeowners identify pests that are causing costly damage.
Give us a call today or leave a comment below if you want more information about how we can protect your home from destructive pest infestations like termites. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
