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Termites, the silent destroyers, can cause severe damage to your home before you even realize they’re there. At Arizona Termite Control, we understand the stress and financial strain that termite damage can cause. That’s why we’ve put together this guide to help you spot the early warning signs of termite infestation. Our expertise in serving our community ensures you have the information you need to protect your home and take timely action.

1. Mud Tubes on Exterior Walls

One of the unmistakable signs of termite presence is the appearance of mud tubes on the exterior walls of your house. Termites use these tubes, made from soil and termite saliva, as protective tunnels to travel to and from their food source. Spotting these near the foundation of your home is a clear indication that it’s time to call in the experts.

These tubes are typically about the size of a pencil and can often be found near the home’s foundation. If you break a tube open and find active termites, it’s a sure sign of infestation and a cue to contact professional termite control Services without delay.

2. Hollow-Sounding Wood

Termites devour wood from the inside out, leaving a thin veneer of timber or paint. When you tap on an area that has termite damage, it will sound hollow or papery due to the parts of the wood being eaten away. This hollow sound can often be one of the first audible clues of a termite problem.

Do not take these sounds lightly. If you begin noticing hollow-sounding beams or walls in your home, it’s critical to take immediate action and reach out for a Termite Inspection to prevent further damage.

3. Discarded Wings

Another early sign of termite infestation are discarded wings. Swarmers, or reproductive termites, take flight to create new colonies. After swarming, these termites shed their wings. Finding discarded wings inside your home, particularly near windows or light sources, is a major red flag for termite activity.

These wings are all similar in size and can often be found in piles, signaling that termites have chosen your home for their next colony. Keeping an eye out for these discarded wings can help you catch an infestation early.

4. Frass – Termite Droppings

Termite droppings, also known as frass, is another indicator of a termite infestation. Unlike Subterranean termites that use their droppings to build, Drywood termites push their droppings out of small holes near the entrances to their tunnels. This results in small, dark, powdery substances accumulating around the infested area.

Noticing these tiny, dark markings around your home can be a key indicator of drywood termite activity, prompting a closer inspection and possible intervention by termite control professionals.

5. Peeling Paint or Bubbling Wallpaper

Excess moisture from termite activity can cause paint to peel or wallpaper to bubble. At first glance, this may simply appear as water damage, but upon closer inspection, it could indicate termites working behind the scenes.

If you notice peeling paint or wallpaper that bubbles or crinkles without any apparent reason, it could signify that termites are feasting on the cellulose found in the walls of your home.

6. Clicking Sounds Within Walls

Soldier termites make a distinct clicking sound by banging their heads against wood or shaking their bodies when the colony is disturbed. If you put your ear close to the wall and hear a faint clicking sound, termites might be busy at work inside.

This noise is most often heard at night when termites are most active and the house is quiet. Being alert to such sounds can help catch a termite problem before it becomes an infestation.

7. Stiff Windows and Warped Doors

Termites produce moisture when eating and tunneling through door and window frames, causing the wood to warp and making it difficult to open windows and doors. This sign is often mistaken for water damage.

If you start noticing that your doors and windows are becoming increasingly difficult to open or close, it might not simply be a symptom of weather effects but a warning sign of termite damage.

8. Swollen Floors and Ceilings

Like warped doors and windows, swollen floors and ceilings can indicate termite activity. The moisture termites leave behind can cause floors to buckle and ceilings to sag, resembling water damage.

If your floors or ceilings look swollen or feel softer underfoot, it’s wise to inspect for termites as they could be the underlying cause of this unusual swelling.

9. Piles of Small, Pellet-Like Droppings

In the case of drywood termites, you might find small, pellet-like droppings called frass. These are termite fecal pellets and can resemble sawdust or sand. Their appearance signifies that termites are feasting within your walls, leaving behind these telltale droppings.

Found near wooden structures, these pellets are a clear signpost of termite presence and a signal that professional help may be needed to avert more serious damage to your home.

10. Key Indicators to Confirm Termites

• Mud Tubes: These act as protective highways for termites and are often found near foundations.
• Discarded Wings: Found near windows and other light sources, indicating swarmers are nearby.
• Hollow-Sounding Wood: When tapped, affected wood sounds empty due to termite feeding.
• Frass: Termites’ droppings appear as dark, powdery substances near infested areas.
• Warped Doors or Windows: Difficult to open or close, indicating moisture from termites.

Spotting any of these warning signs in your home? Don’t let termites eat away at your biggest investment. At Arizona Termite Control, we’re here to help protect your home with expert care and attention. Reach out to us today by phone at 480-660-3093 or Request a Free Inspection.