5 Signs you might have termites

Here is 5 signs that you may have termites occupying your home or business. 

The Swarm
Flying termites will swarm, this usually happens in the spring or early summer where they will emerge from the ground due to the warm weather. Swarms happen because male and females become sexually developed and leave their nests and take flight. Once they have left their old nest they start to congregate in the air and begin to mate with other termites from different colonies. After successfully mating with one another, the termites will then shed their wings and begin a new colony.

Due to the swarm being over quickly you will most likely not see it. However, termites do leave behind some evidence in the form of wings. Pile of wings will usually be found where the swarm congregated and often indicate a termite colony is residing in your home or business.

A swarm is a telltale sign of termites and you should contact a pest control service immediately.

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Mud tunnels
Mud tunnels are an obvious sign that you may have a termite infestation, they are the width of a pencil along the interior or exterior walls. They are made from soil and wood and are used as protection from the outside world, which termites use to travel from their nest to their food source (wood in and around your home).

To test the tunnels for activity, break the center section of the tube off. If the section you broke is repaired within a few days then it means termites are active.


Rattling in the walls
Termites love to make a sound, you will often hear rattling in the walls if you listen carefully. The sound termites make is referred to as head-banging. When termites feel threatened the soldiers will create rattling noises by hitting their heads on the walls of the tunnels inside your home. These vibrations warn the rest of the colony of any danger. Swarms of termites may also make a buzzing sound.


White Ants
Termites are often mistaken for white ants, this is a common misconception as termites and ants are similar in shape and size. There are no such thing as white ants, so if you think you spot one it is most likely a termite.

There are a few differences between ants and termites, these include:

• Termites are light in colour, sometimes look translucent
• Termite's antennae are straight, instead of bent like ants
• Termites set of wings are the same size, where an ant has one set that is larger than the other

Hollow sounding wood
Tapping wood in a termite infested area will sound hollow or papery. This is due to the termites eating the inside of the wood away. Letting termite infestations carry on for too long can result in thousands of dollars of damage as a result of them eating the wood inside your home. Doing routine checks can help prevent a termite problem from going too far.


Professional Pest Control Technician 
If termite activity is found it is important to tackle the problem as quickly as possible, by hiring a pest control technician. Most insurance policies do not cover termite damage so it is a good idea to have a regular professional inspection, especially on new homes and businesses.