4 Indicators That Your Drywall Might Be Infested With Termites

Termites will eat anything that contains cellulose. Therefore, you should be keen on the state of your drywall because it comprises cellulose, making it a favorite target for small, destructive insects. Once they start orchestrating their quiet damage, they can ruin the entire structure of your home. Furthermore, the paperboard that encloses your wallboard is prone to damage from termites simply because of its high cellulose content. Accordingly, consider the right control measures to deal with termites once you notice the following indicators of an infestation:

You Can No Longer Close the Home Openings

Keenly observe how your doors and windows behave when you try to open or close them. You will likely have difficulties closing and opening the windows when termites compromise their structure. Contacting the professionals immediately if you notice these signs of trouble will help minimize the level of damage.

The Walls Have Holes That Are Pin-Sized 

Pin-sized holes are another indicator that you might be having a hidden termite infestation. Typically, these pests live inside the drywall but also create small punctures on the wall, known as exit holes. Therefore, the presence of these holes on your wallboard and ceiling should signal that it's time to call the professionals for pest removal and have the affected areas repaired.

There Are Mud Tubes or Termite Dust at the Base of the Walls

You might also notice mud tubes at the base of the walls. These indicate that termites have started creating systems to protect them from predators. Subterranean termites also create mud tubes because they help preserve moisture. They bring in soil and wet it with their saliva before forming shielded passageways.

On the other hand, termite dust is a dry and powdery substance that tiny insects typically pile not only at the base of the walls but also at the base of the doors. It contains a material called frass and is a surefire sign that you definitely have termites in your residential home.

Frass and Swarmers

You should check for indicators of droppings on the floor and walls. Frass or termite droppings are small and black, and their presence on your walls and floor is an indication that you might have a colony inside your residential home. You should also check for swarmers as well as wings near the walls, which often indicate that the termites are mating in preparation to start a colony.

Be careful to heed these signs of a termite infestation by consulting a competent termite exterminator to help eliminate the problem before it ruins your house.

Contact a professional for more information about termite control.