Signs of Termites

Signs of Termites: Advice from PestNow

Eastern Subterranean Termites are highly destructive to homes and businesses in Sterling, Baltimore, Crofton, Brandywine, Ijamsville, and Manassas. These silent destroyers often go unnoticed until the damage is significant, but the good news is that there are clear signs you can watch for to catch them early. Let's review some of the most common signs of termite activity and how we at PestNow can help you protect your property.

Signs of Termites

Mud tubes: Termite mud tubes are a telltale sign of subterranean termite activity. These pencil-sized tunnels are made of soil, wood particles, and termite saliva, creating a protective passageway for termites to travel between their underground nests and food sources like wood in your home. Mud tubes are typically found along foundations, walls, crawl spaces, or other surfaces, serving as both a shield from predators and a way to maintain the moisture termites need to survive. Spotting these tubes clearly indicates an infestation that requires immediate attention.

Hollow-sounding wood: Another red flag is wood that sounds hollow when you tap on it. Termites often eat wood from the inside out, leaving only a thin outer layer. This can make support beams, floors, and furniture appear normal but will become unstable over time. We've seen cases in Baltimore and Brandywine where homeowners initially ignored these signs, leading to more extensive and costly repairs later on.

Termite swarms: Sometimes, termites make their presence known through discarded wings. Swarmers are winged termites that emerge to start new colonies. If you've noticed them near your light fixtures or windows, especially during spring, it's a strong indication of nearby termite activity. After mating, they shed their wings, leaving behind small piles of them near doors or vents.

Bubbling paint: Another indicator can be cracked or bubbling paint. This often occurs when termites have damaged wood beneath the surface, causing moisture to build up, which presents as bubbles under your paint. If the moisture continues over time, it will lead to cracking.

Tight windows: Lastly, you may experience tight-fitting doors or windows. Termites can wreak havoc on wood by eating away its inner structure, leaving it weak and unstable. As they tunnel through, they create hollow spaces that compromise the wood's strength. To make things worse, termites bring moisture into the mix to keep their colonies thriving, which can cause the wood to swell, bend, or warp. This kind of damage is especially noticeable in things like doors, windows, or cabinets, where misalignment makes them hard to open or close. Warping is often a sign of advanced termite activity and highlights the need for immediate professional intervention to prevent further damage. We've seen this issue frequently in older homes across Ijamsville and Manassas, where termite damage has gone unchecked for years.

At PestNow, we're proud to serve communities throughout the DMV area, including Sterling, Baltimore, Crofton, Brandywine, Ijamsville, and Manassas. If you've noticed any of these signs, acting quickly is important. Our team specializes in detecting and addressing termite activity using advanced tools and proven methods.

When you call PestNow, we start with a thorough inspection to identify termite activity and potential damage. From there, we develop a customized treatment plan tailored to your property. Don't let termites compromise your home or business. Contact PestNow now for expert termite control in your area!