Where Termite Damage Occurs In Florida Homes And How To Identify It

Most of the time, when pests have invaded our homes, we are fully aware. Termites are a little different. They have no major smell, they don’t invade in conventional ways, and they are almost completely silent. Does this mean they are un-spottable? No, but it does mean you have to know where to look and what to look for.

Most of the time, when pests have invaded our homes, we are fully aware. We can see them under our feet, we can watch them stealing our food, sometimes we can even smell them and know what they are before seeing them. Termites are a little different. They have no major smell, they don’t invade in conventional ways, and they are almost completely silent. Does this mean they are un-spottable? No, but it does mean you have to know where to look and what to look for.

How To Spot Termite Infestations

The most common type of termite you will find invading homes here in Florida is the subterranean termite. These termites will seek out areas of water-damaged wood. This is the first place you should start. Examine the exterior of your home for anywhere water has been allowed to build up and, over time, soften up your home's foundational wood. This is where termites will invade. If the water-damaged wood is on top of a foundation of concrete or stone and not directly touching soil, look for small climbing mud tubes. These tubes are how termites scale homes to gain access to its wood. However, if your home's exterior wood is directly in contact with soil, termites will be able to invade without mud tubes, making them almost entirely invisible.

Termite Damage

Termites will damage homes in a number of ways while destroying its wood. At first, they will tunnel out alleyways through the structural wood of your home. As termites feed off of your home’s wood, their colonies will grow. This growth increases the rate in which termites can destroy and will eventually lead to some of the following major issues.

• Uneven Floors
• Sagging Ceilings
• Warped Walls
• Bubbling Wallpaper or Paint
• Structural Collapse (Worse-Case Scenario)

When It’s Time To Call in The Pros

There is never a bad time to get protection for your home against termites. Because of the nature in which they invade, and the considerable amount of damage they can do before being spotted, early prevention is key. Here at Lindsey Pest Services, we treat for termites early. These treatments ensure that even if termites get onto your property, they will not invade farther. If you would like more information on how we keep homes protected from termites, or would like to schedule your free inspection, give us a call today. We have the solutions you are looking for.