How to look for termite damage? It is a very common question that people ask when they have termites in their houses. There are generally two ways to identify termite’s damage. The first is to look for termites. You might be thinking about how looking for termites can explain the termite’s damage. Well, termites are very destructive pests. If you have termites you definitely have minor or severe damage from termites as well.
The second way is to look for types of termite damage. There are several termites’ damages you will find in the house or any structure which we will discuss in the following so you can easily identify termites and their damage and get rid of them.
Before finding the answer to how to look for current and existing termite damage, let’s first discuss why it is important to know about termite damage. Well, they are very destructive and can give severe damage, termite damage costs can be thousands of dollars. Also, Termite damaged drywall and other wooden stuff of the structure.
There is another common question from the general public: does home insurance cover termite damage? It would be so relaxing for the people if insurance covers termite damage; unluckily insurance does not cover termite damage. Therefore it costs a lot to the general public. Insurance companies say that termite damage is not accidental, therefore; termite damage repair cannot be covered in insurance. But there is a solution for that as well. You can do the termite bond with the insurance company. After the contract, The company will be responsible for any damage. Thus, you can save termite damage repair costs.
Signs of Termites:
There are several signs of termites, here we will discuss signs that anyone can identify easily and these signs are very common and can be seen with the naked eye. Furthermore, you can use wood hardener repair to termite damage. First, Remove the damaged wood second, fill the gaps with the wood hardener and finally allow the wood to fully dry. If you discover termite damage early, it is a very useful home remedy.
Termite Drooping:
Termite drooping is the most common sign to identify dry wood termite and their damage. If you are able to identify termite dropping then it means there are termites and they are damaging as well. Termite dropping mostly looks like the color of wood that they are consuming. Moreover, it looks like sawdust and many people ignore it because it resembles several things.
Mud Walls:
Through mud walls, you can identify subterranean termites also known as soil termites. They are very damaging to different things in a structure or farms. Other than wood, subterranean termites can eat books, paper products, cellulose-based products, and plants. To exterminate subterranean termites and cover the termite damage you need soil treatment or bait stations.
Termite Damages:
Hollow Sound Wood:
To check the wooden wall of your house you need something like a hammer to tab the wall. If the wooden wall sounds hollow then it means termite consuming wood from inside. But there is a chance that the wood is already damaged when you buy it. But most commonly it happens because of termites or carpenter ants.
Damaged Wood:
If you have damaged wooden stuff in your structure without any reason that might be damaged by termites. Furthermore, look for the termite damage pics that will make you clear if the damage you see is done by termites or something else. Also, you need to know about termite damage vs water damage. If you notice wooden walls are wet with moisture, they might be damaged because of water. Moreover, you need to know the difference between wood rot and termite damage as well. Wood rot damage is mostly caused because of fungus. For the clear difference, look for the pictures of wood rot vs termite damage.
Drooping from Ceiling:
If you experience drooping from the ceiling then your ceiling is damaged because of termites. Any wooden stuff is not safe if there are termites in the house, even your ceiling. Termites grow their colony in the house and find places where they can be safe from different enemy insects and other things that they hate just like sunlight. Therefore, they can be anywhere in a house, ceiling, basement, near to the door, and windows.
Stock Windows:
It is likely that termites are responsible for your stuck windows. Yes, there can be several other reasons as well for stuck windows. Wooden stuff shrinks and expands a little in summer and winter therefore it can be stuck as well because of the seasonal changes. But if you find drooping near the windows then there is a 100% chance that the window is stuck because of termites.
Damaged Doors:
If your doors are damaged or stuck or make hollow sounds then they are damaged because of termites. In that case, as well, this can happen because of several reasons. Now to identify exactly if it is damaged by termites you need to look at the termite damage picture so you will have the idea if it is because of termites or something else.
How To Repair Termite Damage?
You might be disappointed after reading all about termite damage. We have solutions as well, so don’t worry. Let’s take a look at them briefly or you can read our other articles which are full of solutions, both professional and DIY. Termite damage can be repaired and termites can be removed with professional treatments like wood treatment, soil treatment, bait stations, and fumigation. Furthermore, there are DIY solutions such as mixing washing powder in water and spraying it on the infected area. However, it is only useful for minor infestations.
People Also Asks:
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How can you tell if you have termite damage?
In case there is any sign of termite presence in your house, there is a 99% chance that you have termite damage. As one of the most destructive pests around the world, termites cause damage to houses when they are inside. There are two common symptoms of termites: mud tubes and drooping.
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What does minor termite damage look like?
Minor signs of termite damage include holes in wooden walls and hollow sounds from the wood. There is severe termite damage if you have damaged walls, broken windows, and door frames. Nonprofessionals may not be able to tell whether termite damage is minor or severe. However, a professional can tell better how deep the damage is. If you have any damage to termites in the house, you need to contact the pest control company so they can do the inspection properly.
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Are termites hard to get rid of?
In addition to being one of the hardest pests to eliminate, termites are also one of the most destructive. There are many cases worldwide of people getting termites again even after treatment. The main reason why termites return after treatment is that people do not follow the precautions. Therefore, you must take expert treatment and preventative measures as well so you will not have to deal with termites again. Termites are hard to get rid of but not impossible
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What does the evidence of termites look like?
In order to inspect for termites, professional pest control companies look for different signs of termites. However, mud tubes and termite drooping are very common and visible to the naked eye to the general public. Dropping resembles sawdust, and it mostly looks like the color of wood that termites consume. Termites can also be identified by looking for damaged or hollow sound wood.
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What does wood look like with termites?
The wood looks damaged due to termites. There might be holes in wood if it is damaged by termites or hollow inside. Since termites consume wood and feed their larvae as well, any wooden stuff in a house is not safe if there are termites.
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Do termites go away on their own?
Termites do not go away on their own. If you do not treat termites they will rapidly grow and damage the house. Therefore you must have termites treatment when you find them in your house. Moreover, if the infestation of termites is not severe you can try a DIY solution that can work on the minor infestation of termites. Moreover, if you have a severe infestation of termites you must go for professional treatment. More wait can cost you more in the case of termites.
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How do I know if I have termite or water damage?
Water leakage and termite damage are both destructive to the wooden stuff of a house. Termites mostly consume wood that makes holes in wood and hollow inside. On the other hand, water leakage causes bubbles and peels.
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What attracts termites to a home?
Termites like moist places. Hence, you often find termites in the houses that are poorly ventilated or in the areas of the house that remain closed for a long period of time, such as basements. Make sure a new house you are buying or an existing house you already own is properly ventilated.
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How long does it take for termites to damage?
Once termites are active in the house, they begin to damage the house, with time the damage will get worse as their colonies increase. Therefore, if you find any signs of termites in your house, get them treated immediately or they will cause severe damage.
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Does termite damaged wood need to be removed?
Normally, termite-damaged wood is difficult to repair or does not look as good as when it was new. Therefore, if the wood is not heavily damaged and you treated it, you can reuse it. Make sure that, if you are not removing wood, the wood is termite-free otherwise it will be infested again.
Conclusion:
Now you know how to look for termite damage. Moreover, if you want to inspect the house with the exact infestation and treatment charges you must contact a professional. There are many pest control agencies around the world that offer free termite inspection and cost reports for termite treatment.
