Six Quick Tips To Spotting Signs Of Termites Around Your El Centro Property

Some termite infestations are obvious. Some aren't. The infestations that aren't so obvious are the worst because they lead to ongoing damage. In some cases, damage can go on for years. This can cause irreparable damage. If you don't have ongoing, always active termite protection for your El Centro home, we strongly recommend that you at least be aware of the signs of termite infestation. Keep in mind that these signs are subtle and that they are not the best way to protect your home investment from the destructive impacts of termites.

1. Frass

This is a fancy term for material produced by wood-damaging insects. In the case of drywood termites, it refers to the fecal pellets they push out of their tunnels. These hard, dry droppings may be found on window sills or on floors near baseboards and other hardwood. You may also find them under wooden banisters or hardwood furniture. Subterranean termites don't produce frass, their feces stay inside their tunnels. This is one reason subterranean termites are far more difficult to detect and why they are far more destructive.

2. Damage

You may see damage caused by drywood termites. This damage will be done to hardwood. If tunnels are exposed, it may look like trenches stacked on top of each other. If tunnels are not exposed, the damage will just look like splintering, chipping, or fractures. Subterranean termites feed almost exclusively on the inside of wood. You're not likely to see the damage they do unless you do some renovations. If you find tunnels created by subterranean termites, they will be gritty to the touch. This is because subterranean termites bring soil up into their tunnels to help retain moisture.

3. Shelter Tubes

Subterranean termites cannot survive long in dry air. For this reason, they create shelter tubes to go from the ground to the wood of your home. These are sometimes called mud tubes because they are made from saliva and soil. These tubes will be created in dark, damp locations.

4. Hollow Wood

If you have termites inside the wood of your home, you may be able to tell by tapping on the wood. A sound timber should not have a hollow sound. If you tap on a timber and it sounds hollow, there are likely to be termite tunnels inside.

5. Clicking

It is rare for termites to make any noise at all, but you might hear clicking inside a piece of wood if a termite predator has gotten into termite tunnels. Soldier termites click their heads on tunnel walls to warn the other termites that a threat is present. This can sound like clicking. But, keep in mind that it takes quite a few soldiers to make a clicking noise that you can notice. If you hear clicking, you probably have a severe infestation.

6. Swarmers

This is the warning sign that usually prompts property owners to give us a call. When winged termites appear inside a home or business, they are hard to ignore. But swarmers that emerge outside are often missed. Swarms don't last for more than 30 minutes. Here are a few things you should know about swarmers:

• They are black or dark orange with long white wings that are rounded at the tips.

• The wings of a termite swarmer stack on top of each other.

• Swarmers are only about 3/8 of an inch long.

• Swarmers shed their wings when they mate. These wings may be your only sign that a swarm occurred.

Termite Control

If you ever find signs of termite activity, contact Imperial County Pest Control for immediate termite control in El Centro. Don't risk your equity to DIY termite control. Trust the El Centro home pest control and commercial pest control professionals at Imperial County Pest Control to make sure your property is termite free. Reach out to us today to request a free inspection.