2 Subtle Signs Of A Drywood Termite Infestation In Your Home

If you live in a primarily wooden structure and live in an area that is prone to drywood termite infestations, you may worry that your home may be the next residence these destructive insects target. However, unless you actually see the termites or the tunnels they form while setting up their nest and feasting on the wood, you may not even know they are there until the damage is severe. Fortunately, there are a couple of subtle signs for which you can look to see if drywood termites are infesting your house.

1.  Knocking on the Walls or Trim Gives You an Answer

When trying to determine whether you have drywood termites in your house, one thing you can do to test to see if they are present is to knock on the walls or trim where you suspect that they are located. Not only should you listen for sounds that indicate that the structures are more hollow than the surrounding areas, but you should also see if you get an answer.

As part of their defense system, drywood termites have soldiers that warn the colony of impending danger. To do this, they bang their heads against the tunnel walls to send sounds and vibrations as a warning to the other termites. Especially if you have a full-blown infestation, you will be able to hear this headbanging if you tap on the wall with your ear against the surface.

2.  Finding Tiny Shavings on the Floor or Window Sills

Another sign for which you can look to see if you have drywood termites is tiny wood shavings on the floors and window sills of your house. As the termites tunnel through the wood, they will push unwanted fragments out of their exit holes.

However, since these shavings are quite small, you may mistake them for dust. Look at any suspect collections through a magnifying glass to see if what you are seeing is indeed dust or wood shavings created by termites.

If you find either or both of the above signs, you most likely have a drywood termite infestation in your house, which should prompt immediate action before they thoroughly damage your home's structures. Contact a pest control service in your area as soon as possible so that they can determine the extent of the infestation and damage as well as come up with the best course of action for getting rid of your termite problem.