Termites can cause issues within the foundation of your home if they are given free rein. There are many reasons why termites like to infest lumber and sometimes mulch. They latch on to wood within the home and exposed wood outdoors, especially when it’s wet. These insects are able to get into a home’s foundation through cracks in the wood. Here are a few different ways to spot termites in your home. 

Hollow or Blistering Wood

To see if wood is hollow, tap on it, and you’ll hear that it’s not solid. This is caused by termites eating the interior portion of the wood. This, in turn, causes the wood to become weak because it’s losing structure. Blistering wood looks like water damage on floors and window frames. This means the termites are attacking just below the surface, which can cause many problems with the stability of the affected areas. 

Mud Tubes

Mud tubes are the result of termites compiling soil and wood into a tube-like structure. These tubes are what termites use to keep the areas that they infest from getting dry. Mud tubes also function as a means of transportation from their nests to other places. It’s not recommended to destroy mud tubes because they can be helpful in the inspection process.

Evidence of Swarms

When termites swarm, they tend to lose wings and limbs. These typically look like fish scales and are about the size of apple seeds. Swarming occurs when there is a large exposed area that many termites can feed on at one time. Exposed areas under home in the basement or in the attic are likely to attract termites. When you start seeing evidence of swarms, call in professionals to have your property inspected. 

Stuck Windows and Doors

When your windows start to feel like they get stuck and are hard to pry open, that can be an indication that you have termites. Termites tend to latch onto exposed wood and will start eating away at the wood’s interior. They leave their moisture when eating at the wood, causing the wood to warp and get stuck. 

Termites can potentially cause damage to your home’s foundation, making it much bigger than a common bug problem. Do you need assistance with getting rid of termites? We are ready to come in and give your home the most comprehensive termite inspection in Des Moines. Give us a call at 515-279-7378 or contact us online to schedule a free inspection.