Termites work at all hours of the day and night. During the day when the house is most active, it is hard to hear them, but at night when the family has gone to bed, you may hear the soft rustling of termites eating through wood if you have good ears, or if you are close to a nest. If you suspect you hear termites, have a pest control service do an inspection. Here are the sounds they make as they burrow through your home, and how to avoid the pesky creatures in the future.

The Sound of Termites

If you’re close to them and they feel threatened, the soldier termites will bang their heads against the walls of the tunnels. The vibrations course through the wood to fellow termites warning them there is a threat nearby. The sound is technically a tapping, but it may come off as a rattle if several termites are performing the head-banging and are not in sequence.

Worker termites make a rustling and clicking sound as their mandibles chew through wood. In many cases, this sound cannot be heard without the use of a stethoscope, but if they are in the walls close to your bed, there is a chance a soft-sleeper can hear them.

During mating season swarms of flying termites can produce a buzzing. If you hear buzzing, call a pest control specialist immediately to prevent damage to the structural integrity of your home.

Avoiding Termites in the Future

The number one way to prevent termite infestations is through the lack of wood to ground contact. Remove plant life, wooden mulch, and other wooden products, such as lumber, paper, and cardboard from around the home.

Siding should rest at least 6 inches above the ground, and all forms of water drainage must be maintained. Leaky faucets, drain spouts, and other sources of moisture around the ground act as the perfect breeding conditions for termites. Call a pest control professional to help design the perfect anti-termite barrier around your home.

If you hear sounds in your walls or see termites around the home, contact a termite specialist from Meagher Pest Control for help. Serving Mt. Vernon, Salem, Fairfield, Wayne City and the rest of Southern Illinois, this trusted pest removal company is committed to charging affordable rates and providing the highest-quality customer service. Call them at (618) 315-5212 to talk to a representative, or visit their website to schedule a termite treatment for your home.