How and When to Check for Termites

How and When to Check for Termites in Arizona

If you have noticed even one single termite, it’s likely there is an entire colony with tens of thousands or more nearby. While these pests may be small, the amount of havoc they can wreak is significant and expensive if left unattended. Bill’s Pest and Termite have put together a guide with all the information you need on how and when to check for termites so you can keep your home safe and pest-free.  

What’s So Bad About Termites?

Termites might only measure a quarter of an inch to half an inch long – but their colonies can contain up to hundreds of thousands of them. Additionally, depending on the species, they can live as long as fifty years. When you consider that wood cellulose is their primary diet, these numbers do not bode well for your home (even if their damage rate is slow). If undetected, they will continue to eat away at your home for years before you even realize it, resulting in significant structural damage that could have potentially been avoided.

It’s for this reason you should know precisely how and when to check for termites, as well as when to call in for an inspection and/or extermination. If you are able to recognize these signs early on, you will help minimize the extent of the damage these bothersome pests can cause, as well as make extermination easier.

How and When to Check for Termites in Arizona

What Are the Signs of Termites?

To check for Termites in Arizona you need to be proactive about searching for them, because you don’t want to wait until it is too late. It is better for you to know the signs and call Bill’s Pest and Termite for a thorough inspection (and extermination if needed) than to leave a potential infestation unattended only to find extensive damage at a later stage. From there, it is a good idea to book an annual termite inspection to help you stay on top of things. So, how do you check for termites? It is worth knowing that different types of termites show different signs of infestation, but there are common ones that you can be on the lookout for.

1. Flying Termites

Flying termites (swarmers) will leave their colony to find new mates and begin their own homes. This is a seasonal occurrence, so if you notice a swarm of flying termites on or near your property, know that means termites have potentially lived in the vicinity for some years and have only just made their way into your home.  

2. Termite Wings

Termite swarmers fly to the location at which they intend to start their colony (consisting of the destructive termites) and drop their wings once they land because they won’t need them again. Piles of discarded termite wings doesn’t mean they are dead but rather that you might already have an existing termite problem or are at risk of an infestation as they might be trying to build a colony nearby. 

3. Frass/Droppings

As the drywood termites eat and nest in wood, they create ‘galleries’ or tunnels. To keep them clean, the termites will create holes through which they kick out their droppings which are mostly comprised of wood. These droppings can land on floors or window sills in small mounds that resemble sawdust or coffee grounds. If you notice frass in your house, it’s possible you have drywood termites. 

Heterotermes termites produce droppings from the ceiling, which you should also be on the lookout for.

4. Mud Tubes

Subterranean termites build their nests underground and burrow up to reach their food source (your house structure). This termite species creates pencil-sized mud tubes where the ground meets a building. Mud termites require specific humidity levels and temperatures to survive, which is why these tunnels function to block out cool, dry air, allowing them to live in your home.

5. Blistered Floors

Wood floors that show signs of blistering or buckling could be indicative of termites. Subterranean termites in particular are known to attack subflooring, resulting in warped and discolored flooring. It is worthwhile to note that termites usually prefer softer wood or supports, so it’s possible you might only notice their presence after a lot of damage has been inflicted.

6. Damaged Drywall

Drywall contains paper (which contains cellulose – termite’s food source), which is why they will chew through it. In doing this, they leave small trails of pin-sized holes on both the surface and inside the drywall. Termite holes in drywall will be capped with a small speck of dirt – so be on the lookout.  

7. Damaged Wood

Termites usually cause damage below and behind surfaces like floors and walls. This destruction is evident in a number of ways.

• They can damage doorways by causing them to buckle/warp and become difficult to open.
• Windows can also become difficult to open or close if termites attack the frames.
• They can eat walls from the inside out (making them difficult to spot).
• You may notice long grooves resembling a maze in wood (tracks made when they eat the cellulose).
• They can hollow out wood studs, which results in the stud creating a hollow or empty sound when tapped on.
• Keep an eye and ear out for buckled wooden floorboards that make more noise when walked on.
• Support beams attacked by termites may buckle, causing the ceiling to dip and crack.

8. Live Termites During Remodeling

Termites are commonly discovered during home renovations, so if you are remodeling, make sure to keep an eye out for termites in the wood you are working on. Remember too that removing any damaged wood will not remove the infestation; termites can potentially be found almost anywhere on your property where they have a food source, so it is always best to call for our professional extermination services the moment you notice any insects.

Our Termite Services 

At Bill’s Pest and Termite, we offer a variety of services to help you identify and eradicate termites. Let us help you check for termites.

• Free quotes
• Free inspections
• Termite treatment
• Termite baiting
• Termite reports
• Pre-construction termite treatment

When to Call Bill’s Pest and Termite

You want to take immediate action as soon as you notice any potential evidence of a termite infestation. Know too, that different termite species will often require specific treatments, which is why it is best to leave this work in the hands of our experienced technicians. They will work with you to create a personalized termite treatment that is best for your home.

Let us help You Check for Termites – (602) 308-4510

For the most effective termite solutions in Phoenix, AZ, call Bill’s Pest and Termite. We are here to provide top-notch solutions to both residential and commercial property owners. Call or text us at 602.786.7386 or request a hassle-free quote today.

Let us help you check for termites – Free Termite Inspections

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