Termites can cause serious trouble without making a lot of noise. In fact, many homeowners in Olathe do not realize they have termites until serious damage has already been done. These tiny insects love to stay hidden while they chew through wood. They may have been working for months or years by the time you spot the signs.
Termite damage can be obvious and cost a big amount of money to repair. That is why you should consider working with saelapest.com experts when you notice signs of termites before the issue escalates. So, what does termite damage actually look like?
Hollow or Damaged Wood
Termites eat wood from the inside out, so everything can look fine on the surface while the inside is being destroyed. You might not notice the damage until you push on a wall, step on a floorboard, or bump into some trim. Termite-compromised wood gives way more easily than expected. Termites might be eating away at a wooden wall or baseboard when it sounds empty or papery upon knocking it.
Mud Tubes Along Walls or Foundation
Subterranean termites, which are common in Olathe, build little tunnels out of mud to protect themselves while they travel between their nest and your home. These mud tubes are thin and brown, about the width of a pencil. You will usually find them on the foundation of your home, along basement walls, near crawl spaces, or around plumbing pipes.
Buckling or Warped Floors
Termites can damage flooring just like they do walls and wood beams. In some cases, the floors might start to look bubble or warp, almost as if there is water damage. This is because termites create moisture as they feed, which can affect the shape of wooden floors. You might also notice loose tiles, soft spots underfoot, and squeaky or spongy floorboards.
Discarded Wings
Termite colonies send out swarmers in the spring or early summer. These winged termites fly off to start new colonies. They shed their wings once they land, leaving behind small piles that look like fish scales or thin, clear confetti. They can be found on window sills, near doors, in your basement or attic, or around light fixtures.
Small Holes and Paint Bubbles
Termite damage can also show up as tiny holes in your walls or ceilings. These are called kick-out holes, which are used by termites to push waste out of the tunnels they create inside wood.
In some cases, paint might start to bubble or peel. This happens because of moisture building up under the surface due to termite activity. At first, it might look like water damage, but termites could be the cause if you do not have a leak and you still see bubbling paint.
Tight Doors and Hard-to-Open Windows
Wood that has been damaged by termites can swell from the moisture, or become too weak to hold its shape. As a result, you might notice that doors become hard to close, and windows stick when you try to open them. Also, frames seem slightly warped when damaged by termites.
Damaged or Weakened Wooden Structures
Support beams, joists, and framing inside the walls can sag, bend, or collapse chewed by termites. You might not see this right away, but you will start to notice sinking rooflines, slanted floors, and walls that look uneven.
Frass: Termite Droppings
Drywood termites, which are less common but still found in the area, leave behind tiny pellets called frass. They push this waste out of their tunnels, collecting it in small piles that look like sawdust or sand. You might find frass near windowsills, wooden furniture, or baseboards.
