What's the first thing you do when you spot signs of termite infestation in your home or commercial building? Perhaps you have spotted a termite, or you have heard tapping noise at night from certain parts of the wall, and so on. Either way, it's advisable to contact an expert to conduct an inspection. This way, you will verify if there are termites in your building, damages that have occurred, and how to eliminate them for good. Knowing what to look for will make it easier for you to know if it's time to call an expert for termite treatment. Here are some tips you can consider on your own or with a professional to identify if you need termite control treatment services.

Moisture content

One of the best ways to know what's happening within your walls is to check the moisture content. Most termite species require water to thrive, and that's the key reason they seek out food (mainly wood) in damp areas. This way, they can consume the wood containing high moisture and survive. Remember that the vulnerability of your home will be determined by the moisture content. Hiring a termite inspector to conduct moisture tests can help you assess your home's moisture levels so you can keep the termites away.

Shelter tubes

Termites always build small tunnels with wood cellulose, soil, and other materials when they do not want to move through open spaces. Since they can't penetrate the concrete, termites usually construct their own highway, the mud tunnels, over or around it. So, if you find such tubes in or around your house, you can be sure that the pests have found a way to access your home.

Termite wings

Although everyone knows that termites burrow underground and build nests behind walls, there are easy ways to tell if your home is infested. Subterranean termites usually drop wings after a swarm. Swarm is a natural reproduction cycle whereby the winged mature adults die off, then drop wings after mating. This process occurs when humidity levels rise. Note that the termite wings are equal in width and length, so don't confuse them with flying ant wings.

If you see discarded termite wings, then you will know that breeding occurred and that there is a termite colony near or within your home. A colony can only start to produce the male winged termite if it's well established, and this takes a few years. Remember that the new colonies are established on nests that existed before.

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