Termites are among the most dreaded pests found in the Manteca area – and for good reason. Termites feed on wood and have a particular taste for the lumber inside our homes. An issue that begins with a few termites tunneling into your wall can soon escalate into a colony of thousands eating your home from the inside out.
The Best Way to Keep Termites From Damaging Your Home
The best way to protect your home from severe termite damage is to identify signs of an infestation early on. In this guide, we’ll discuss the most common signs of termite infestations in Manteca homes and how you can stop these wood-ravaging pests dead in their tracks.
5 Signs of a Termite Infestation in Manteca
Termites are subterranean insects that often go unnoticed for months because of their stealthy behavior. However, you’ll know your Manteca home is infested if you notice these signs:
1. Mud Tubes
As underground dwellers, termites are sensitive to sunlight. To avoid getting scorched when they travel between the soil and the wood of your home, termites build mud tubes. These thin tubes are often constructed along foundation walls and exterior siding, or into crawl spaces. Finding mud tubes along the exterior of your home is the easiest way to identify a termite infestation. If you see these tubes, contact a termite exterminator in Manteca immediately.
2. Hollow Wood
As termites tunnel through wood, they’ll eventually hollow it out. Oftentimes, you’ll be able to hear this wood damage before you can see it. If you’re concerned about a possible termite presence, tap on wood structures like baseboards and window frames. Hearing a hollow or “papery” sound indicates that termites have eaten through the wood. If damage has persisted for long enough, the wood may look blistered or slightly warped.
3. Sticking Doors or Windows
Another way you can identify a termite presence in your Manteca home is if doors and windows begin to stick in place. Termite activity produces moisture that warps wood frames, making it much more difficult to open and close windows and doors. Although other sources of moisture intrusion may cause this issue, it’s worth investigating for further signs of termites if this happens in your home.
4. Frass
“Frass” is the technical word for termite droppings, which look like tiny wood-colored pellets. Often found near baseboards or on windowsills, frass is sometimes mistaken for sawdust. Discovering piles of frass is a likely sign that termites have infested your home. Contact a local termite control company in Manteca to confirm the presence of these destructive pests.
5. Swarmers
Winged termites that leave their colony behind to start new ones are known as “swarmers.” In the Manteca area, termites usually swarm in spring and are most likely to appear in warm weather following rain. Seeing termite swarmers outside your home means they are likely probing your property; seeing termite swarmers inside your home is a certain sign of infestation. Even if you don’t see the swarmers themselves, you may find their discarded wings on window sills, around door frames, and near light sources.
What Should I Do After Identifying a Termite Infestation?
A quick response is important once you see the signs of a termite infestation. In the span of just a few weeks, termites can inflict extensive property damage that costs thousands of dollars to repair. As soon as you identify a termite presence, immediately contact a professional termite control company in Manteca to schedule an inspection. Licensed and insured exterminators will be able to accurately assess the scale of your infestation and recommend the best next steps to remove this threat from your property.
Manteca’s Most Reliable Termite Exterminators
Next Generation Pest Control offers diverse and highly effective solutions to termite problems, including liquid treatments, fumigation, and slab injections. Get in touch with us today to request a quote for our professional termite control services in the greater Manteca area!
