Each year in the United States, termites do more damage to homes than fires, hurricanes, tornadoes, and wind combined. These insects seek out wood structures and feed on the cellulose and nutrients the material provides. Knowing the signs of an infestation will alert you that it’s time to contact a termite control professional. Here are a few red flags you should watch for.

Signs Your Home Has Termites

1. Discarded Wings or Droppings

Termites shed their wings around entrance areas, like windows and doors or cracks in the walls and flooring. Droppings, also known as frass, have a wood-like appearance, resembling sawdust or coffee grounds. To the naked eye, an accumulation of droppings may look like nothing more than a small, beige pellet or a pile of sand.

2. Mud Tubes

Termites travel inside mud tubes, which provide them with comfortable temperature and humidity levels. The tubes lead from their nest to their food source, offering protection as they travel to and from their feedings. Mud tubes are brown and about the diameter of a pencil. If you’re unsure about whether something may be a mud tube, a termite control professional can provide a definite identification.

3. Hard-to-Open Doors & Windows

Termites who feast around doors and windows can warp the wood in these areas. As they feed, their bodies expel moisture, which changes the shape of the wood. Look for doors or windows that have suddenly become harder to pull open or closed or don't seem to open or close all the way.

4. Blistered Floors

If termites attack the subfloor under wood flooring, the topmost visible layer will look blistered or bubbled. At first glance, you may think a water leak has caused the damage; however, it was caused by the lack of stability in the subfloor from termite feedings.

An infestation is challenging to eradicate without the help of experts. If you’d like professional assistance, contact the skilled team at Aloha Termite & Pest Control in Wahiawa, HI. Since 1999, these termite control specialists have been serving property owners throughout Oahu, eliminating these intruders and preventing costly property damage. Learn more about their termite control services online, or (808) 622-2268 to schedule an inspection.