No one wants to discover they have termites living in their walls or floors, but it’s an unfortunate fact that they plague many Tennessee households. In fact, homeowners spend $5 billion annually on termite damage repair and control, points out the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). Let’s go one step further and add that your Nashville home is far more likely to become damaged by termites than it is by fire.

It’s important to be aware of the signs of termite infestation so you can get a reliable pest control company in Nashville TN on the case right away. The sooner you can catch an infestation, the better. This will help to avoid more costly damage down the road, because termite damage isn’t cheap. But the expense is just one part of it. Termites also cause a lot of dangerous structural damage in your home, adding to the safety and property damage aspect.

Heed these warnings that termites are working behind the scenes in your Nashville home:

1. Discarded Wings or Flying Termites

Flying termites can be either male or female, with several species preferring the nighttime. As such, they are drawn to light sources once the sun sets. Other species like to swarm during the day, or even after a good rain, such as the drywood termite. If you spot discarded or broken wings on your windowsills, this signals an aging termite swarm that no longer needs their wings.

2. Chewing Noises or Head Banging

Listen closely: do you hear quiet clicking sounds originating from inside the walls? Soldier termites will bang their heads against the wood or shake their bodies when they sense danger to the colony. They are sensitive to noises and vibrations and can detect them easily. Worker termites eat noisily, so you can hear them snacking if you put your ear to the wall.

3. Mud Tubes by Termites

Mud tubes are what protect the termites, and you’ll spot them around your foundation. Built by subterranean termite species, mud tubes are made from soil and termite droppings. They get moisture from these tubes, so it makes sense that you should remove any moisture-rich sources around your foundation and property. Refrain from storing firewood, mulch or wood chips near your home.

4. Tight-Fitting Doors and Windows

If you can’t easily open and close your windows and doors, you may think it’s just because they are old or there’s a lot of humidity in the air. That may be true, but in many cases, these circumstances can be a sign of termites. When termites eat and tunnel, they produce moisture. This moisture will warp window and door frames, prohibiting them from opening and closing easily.

5. Hollow-Sounding Timber

Termites will eat wood from the inside out, leaving behind a thin layer of timber or just paint. Go ahead and tap on the area; if you hear a papery or hollow sound, or see cracks on interior ceilings or walls, termite activity is likely going on. Termites eat through pretty much anything wooden that’s close to the ground, such as flooring, or high up on rafters, ceilings, and beams. If you have noticed spongy flooring, this is another sign of termites.

Call a pest control specialist in Nashville immediately if you have spotted any of the above signs.

Termite Treatment & Prevention Nashville, TN

When you have suspicions that termites have invaded your Nashville TN home, Contact us at 615-502-2855. Our trained and certified termite exterminators will give you a free inspection and quote.

Total termite treatment and termite prevention services by a qualified pest control company serving Nashville, Tennessee.