The Early Warning Signs of Drywood Termites That You Should Never Ignore

In 2020, 91% of new homes were wood-framed, which doesn’t deviate from past years’ numbers. It’s a renewable and sustainable material, which is why wood has prevailed in construction for centuries.

However, it does come with its drawbacks. Not only is it flammable, but it also attracts pests like drywood termites, and if you don’t keep an eye on things, these bugs can do major damage to your home.

Knowing how to identify drywood termites is a good prevention method, as you’ll notice them before they can destroy your house. Here are some early warning signs of drywood termites you should look out for.

Piles of “Sawdust”

Have you noticed small piles of sawdust in your house? You may be confused since you haven’t done any woodwork recently, and these just keep popping up.

The sawdust is actually termite droppings, or frass. Drywood termites will push frass out of their tunnels and you’ll see piles at the entrances.

Clicking Sounds

Termites tend to make clicking sounds inside walls. Not only do they eat loudly, but soldier termites also bang against the wood to signify danger.

So put your ear against the wall and see if you hear anything. Chances are, you aren’t imagining it!

White Ants

If you think you’ve seen white ants, think again. Termites look more similar to ants than you’d think, so take a second look at those white ants.

There are small differences between these bugs, but there’s no such thing as white ants. So you most likely have termites in your home!

Termite Wings

There are swarmer termites that try to find mates and create new colonies. You might see them around, but the biggest sign of them is discarded wings. Once these swarmer termites find mates, their wings fall off.

Hollow-Sounding Wood

Go around knocking on the wooden parts of your home. If anything sounds hollow, there’s probably termite damage within.

This is because termites eat wood from the inside out. By the time you notice damage on the outside, there’s extensive damage inside already.

What to Do if You Notice Signs of Drywood Termites

If there are early signs of drywood termites in your home, don’t hesitate to call a pest control company. They’ll be able to thoroughly inspect your property and recommend the best actions.

Even if it’s a false alarm, it can be worth it to get peace of mind knowing an expert inspected your house and found no termites.

Keep Drywood Termites at Bay

Drywood termites can be a pain, and if their population’s left unchecked, they can do serious damage to your property. By knowing the early signs of these pests, you’ll be able to mitigate the risks of drywood termites and take quick action to eliminate their presence.

If you think you have drywood termites in your house, contact us today. We’ll perform a free 57-point inspection. Make an appointment with us ASAP!