Termites cause billions of dollars in property damage annually across the United States, and Holly Springs homeowners are certainly not immune to these destructive pests. The warm, humid climate of Georgia creates an ideal environment for termite colonies to thrive. Unfortunately, many homeowners don’t realize they have a termite problem until significant damage has already occurred. Knowing the early warning signs of a termite infestation can save you thousands in repair costs and protect your most valuable investment – your home.

Visual Signs of Termite Activity

Mud Tubes

One of the most recognizable signs of subterranean termites is the presence of mud tubes. These pencil-width tunnels are built by termites to provide moisture and protection as they travel between their colony and food source. Look for these muddy pathways along your foundation, crawl spaces, basement walls, and other areas where your home contacts the soil.

Damaged or Hollow-Sounding Wood

Tap on wood surfaces around your home. If you hear a hollow sound, termites may have eaten away the interior while leaving the surface intact. Look for wood that appears crushed or damaged at structural joints, or baseboards and door frames that seem to be sagging or warped without explanation.

Frass (Termite Droppings)

Drywood termites, unlike their subterranean cousins, push their waste out of small holes in the wood where they’ve established colonies. This termite frass resembles tiny pellets or sawdust and often accumulates in small piles near infested wood. Finding these piles along windowsills, door frames, or below wooden beams should trigger immediate concern.

Wings and Swarmers

During certain times of the year, particularly spring in Holly Springs, reproductive termites (called swarmers or alates) emerge to establish new colonies. These winged termites are attracted to light and might be spotted near windows, light fixtures, and doors. Even if you miss the actual swarmers, finding discarded wings is a telltale sign that termites have taken flight in or around your home.

Non-Visual Warning Signs

Tight-Fitting Doors and Windows

As termites consume wood and introduce moisture to their feeding sites, the resulting damage can cause door frames and window frames to warp. If previously well-fitting doors and windows suddenly become difficult to open or close, termites could be the culprits.

Bubbling or Uneven Paint

Termites often tunnel just beneath the surface of painted wood. The moisture they introduce can cause paint to bubble, peel, or take on an unusual appearance. If your paint is exhibiting these symptoms without obvious water damage, consider investigating for termites.

Clicking Sounds

Believe it or not, you can sometimes hear termites at work. Soldier termites bang their heads against wood or shake their bodies when the colony is disturbed, creating a clicking sound within walls. Additionally, the sound of worker termites chewing through wood can sometimes be detected in severely infested areas during quiet moments.

Where to Look in Your Holly Springs Home

The Georgia climate makes certain areas of your property particularly vulnerable:

• Wooden structures in contact with soil
• Damp areas around leaky pipes or air conditioning units
• Mulch beds placed too close to your foundation
• Dead trees or stumps on your property
• Wooden decks and fences
• Crawl spaces with inadequate ventilation

When to Call Kellco Pest

If you notice any of these warning signs, it’s crucial to act quickly. DIY termite treatments rarely address the full extent of an infestation and can give homeowners a false sense of security while termites continue to damage their property.

Kellco Pest’s termite specialists have the expertise and tools to properly identify termite species common to Holly Springs, determine the extent of your infestation, and implement effective treatment strategies. We also offer preventative termite protection plans to give you peace of mind year-round.

Don’t wait until termites have caused significant damage to your Holly Springs home. Contact Kellco Pest today for a thorough termite inspection and take the first step toward protecting your home from these destructive pests.