The Most Common Signs of Termites in Your Maryland/Virginia Home

If you’re a homeowner in Maryland or Virginia, you probably know a thing or 2 about household pests.

While some of them are relatively harmless, there are a few creepy-crawlies that you want to keep far away from your home. Termites are just one example. They cause more than 5 billion dollars in property damage per year.

If you don’t know the signs of termites, you could end up with a serious problem on your hands. These bugs can cause some damage. 

Keep reading to learn just a few signs you have termites in your home.

Strange Noises

Termites don’t have the telltale drone of bees or wasps, but they’re also not completely silent. 

When you have termites in your home, you might hear a quiet clicking or rattling inside the walls. This is the sound of the bugs hitting against the walls. 

Any unfamiliar noises within the walls should be investigated, but this noise, paired with other signs of termites, is one to look out for.

Discarded Wings

When termites are out scouting or swarming (meaning not inside the walls eating your home) they can drop their fragile wings. 

You can often only see them before their attack on your house begins. Swarms like this generally pre-date a new colony being created. 

If you see a pile of tiny, almost transparent wings, you might have termites. 

Mud Tubes

Mud tubes are one of the most obvious termite signs. They can be spotted outside of the home, leaning into the foundation. 

They’re little mud pathways that the termites use to get from point A to point B (with point B being your residence). The tubes are sturdy and resistant to water, making them a safe way for the termites to travel. 

If you see this little road system leading into your home, watch out!

Hollow Walls

If you bump or knock against your wall, what kind of noise do you hear?

If you hear a distinct “hollow” noise, you might be in trouble. 

Termites eat through the wood in your house, meaning that they’re leaving spaces in your walls (and allowing for that hollow noise).

There are other reasons for a slight hollow noise, but if you notice this in combination with other signs of termites, call an exterminator. 

Termite Droppings (AKA: Frass)

Frass is one of the more obvious signs of drywood termites. 

When a termite tunnels through your home, they leave behind droppings. These exit through small holes in their nests (often inside your home).

They might be hard to identify if you’ve never interacted with termites before. Frass can resemble wood shavings or sawdust and it’s very tiny. 

Do You Have Signs of Termites?

If any of these things sound familiar to you, it might be time to seek out pest control for your Maryland or Virginia home. Catching the early signs of termites is essential to making sure that they don’t cause irreparable damage. 

Visit our site to reach out to us about termite treatment. We can help you reclaim your home as soon as possible.