Termites are small insects usually the length of half an inch. They are light-coloured, tiny, and have antennas. Termites live in colonies consisting of a queen, workers, and thousands of reproductive members.
Termites feed on wood and cellulose and build their nest near food sources. Termites are known to be a nuisance for home owners and real estate investors. Here are several problems caused by termites:
1. Structural damage:
Termites cause a lot of structural damage especially in structures made out of wood. Since they live inside walls and build their nests underground, they are hard to notice sooner. They cause potential risk to your safety by weakening the house structure, causing walls and the ceilings to eventually collapse.
2. Health concerns:
Termites cause health risks to people with asthma and highly sensitive allergic reactions. Although this is not very common, it is still enough to cause grave health risks.
3. Mud tubes:
Termites use mud tubes to live or travel between their nesting place and source of food. These mud tubes also protect them from high winds, cold, and moisture. These mud tubes can be food in places where the house comes in contact with the ground.
4. Bubbling paint:
When termites live inside walls, they feed on the structure from inside. This can cause a visible shift on the surface of the wall, making it look like bubbling paint.
5. Damaged wood:
When termites feed on woods, it can cause wood to become hollow from inside. It also damages doors and windows and causes them to get jammed. Opening the door can become difficult since termites eat all the cellulose present in the woods.
6. Flying termites:
Termites that are looking to mate separate from their colony to look for mates. They fly around in swarms that may cause an inconvenience to people. They are attracted to light and may fly around lights a lot.
7. Discarded wings:
When termites mate, they discard their wings and start to live near windowsills and on floors. Their discarded wings are found lying around the house or property.
8. Clicking sound:
When a colony of termites is disturbed, termites bang their bodies against any surface to alert other termites of any upcoming danger. This causes a clicking sound that can be irritating.
9. Moisture and mould:
Termites like to be near walls that have moisture. However, they can also introduce moisture to walls damaging them and causing mould to grow. This can also lead to major health issues and concerns.
10. Loosening floor tiles:
Termites introduce moisture to the underlay of the tiles, causing them to loosen up.
Hence, it is very important to contact your local pest control service and get an inspection done as soon as you suspect anything. If possible, you can also get a general pest control inspection done once in a year or two.
