How to Tell if Termites Are Active in Your Meridian Home

Termites can do a lot of damage without being detected for a while. The presence of older homes and new construction in Meridian, Idaho makes it easy for termites to find the perfect place to set up shop. They love wood, moisture, and dark spaces, which are the hidden corners of your house. The key to protecting your home is spotting the signs early. Termites don’t usually make a grand entrance, so it is important to know what to look for. Visit this site if you need help with termites, especially if the problem has escalated.  You will know that termites are actively damaging your home if you notice any of the following signs:

Mud Tubes Along Walls

Mud tubes are thin, brown tunnels made of soil and wood bits. They usually show up on walls, foundations, or in crawl spaces. Termites use these tubes to travel between their nest and their food source.  The tubes are built, so termites stay moist and safe from light. Breaking one open and seeing live termites inside means the colony is active. Termites could still be nearby even if the tube is empty.

Hollow-Sounding Wood

The wood that has been eaten by termites will sound hollow from the inside out. Termites dig through the middle of the wood and leave a thin layer on the outside. Try tapping on baseboards, window sills, or wooden beams in your basement or crawl space. Termites might be at work if they sound empty or break easily.

Tiny Holes or Blisters in Paint

You might see small pin-sized openings in the drywall or little bubbles and blisters in the paint if termites are active.  These signs show up when termites are working just under the surface. These pests can cause the paint to lift or the wall to look uneven as they tunnel through the wood. 

Discarded Wings

Termite swarmers take flight in spring or early summer. They shed their wings after they find a mate and land.  You might find these tiny, clear wings near windows, doors, or in the corners of rooms. They usually show up in piles and look like fish scales. 

Clicking or Tapping Noises

The sound that termites make is not loud, but you might hear a soft clicking or tapping coming from your walls if you are in a quiet room. This sound comes from soldier termites banging their heads against the wood to signal danger to the colony.

Worker termites are also constantly chewing. It is hard to hear, but you might notice the sound of them eating in quiet conditions.

Sticking Windows or Doors

Termites might be to blame if a window or door suddenly becomes hard to open or close. They can cause it to warp as they eat away at the wood. Moisture also builds up in the damaged areas, which makes the frames swell.

Of course, sticking doors and windows can happen for other reasons, such as changes in weather or humidity. But it could be time to check for termites if this happens along with other signs. 

Piles of Frass 

Drywood termites push their droppings out of small holes near their tunnels. The frass looks like sawdust or ground pepper. Finding small piles of this near baseboards or window sills is an indication that termites are nearby and have been busy. 

Damaged or Buckling Floors

Termites can cause your hardwood or laminate flooring to buckle or feel spongy when you walk on. You might even see loose tiles or areas that seem uneven. This damage usually means the termites have been there for a while, so it is important to get it checked out as soon as possible.