Termite damage can be extremely costly. In the US, $5 billion of damage is caused by termites each year. If a termite colony infests your home it can cause serious structural damage to your home and its foundation.

The best way to prevent this is to catch an infestation before it becomes a huge problem. You should be able to answer questions like: Do termites bite?

And what do they look like? Also, what are the early signs of termites?

Let’s answer these so you can know what you should watch for. 

Do Termites Bite People?

Many people wonder if termites can hurt them in addition to the damage they can cause to their homes. On a positive note, termites don’t bite people.

Soldier termites can. However, their jaws are so small, they wouldn’t even leave a mark. 

Overall, termites won’t cause direct harm to you or your loved ones. You don’t need to worry do termites bite? However, they can cause serious damage to your home and property, so you should monitor your home for other warning signs of termites. 

Pellets, Wings, and Bodies

Termites like to keep their tunnels clean. So as they build, they remove excrement from the area. Because of this, you can find termite pellets or droppings almost anywhere.

Usually, pellets look like small, wood-colored pellets. They could also look like coffee grounds or sawdust.

If you find a lot of discarded wings, especially near a closed window or door it may also be one of the warning signs of termites. The pile usually looks like a pile of fish scales. 

In the spring, termites like to warm themselves near well-lit, warm areas. They may shed their wings afterward. 

Some people may confuse termite wings for flying ant wings. Termite wings are all the same size and their bodies are not segmented. Meanwhile, flying ant wings will be different sizes and their bodies are segmented.

Termites tend to stay away from high traffic areas. But, you may see dead bodies.

Dead termites may be mistaken for white “ants”. That’s not what they are. If you see these, you’ll need to contact a professional about how to get rid of termites.

Swarms and Sounds

If you listen closely, you may be able to hear live termites if they have infested your walls. They will make clicking and munching sounds. 

The more noticeable sign is a swarm. In the spring, both male and female termites leave their colony to mate and build another bigger colony. During this mating session, you might see a large number of termites form a swarm.

A swarm may mean that are ready to or may have already formed a colony in the area, including in your home. But, if you see a swarm more than once, it could be a strong indicator of a possible infestation.

Mud Structures or Tubes

Some species, including subterranean termites, need to stay moist. In order to do this, they build mud tubes that let them stay near moisture while also traveling to their food source and back.

A tube-like mud structure is one of the termite warning signs. They can be found on hard surfaces around the home or foundation. You should check for them by taking a quick look around your home occasionally.

Flooring or Wall Damage

Termites may live just under the wood surfaces in your home, including flooring and walls. The destruction they cause may seem like water damage. If you see anything that resembles this, you should figure out if water damage is a possibility or if it might be termites.

Termite damage may manifest as raised, swollen, or buckled wooden or laminate floorboards. They may also become excessively squeaky. Floor tiles may also appear raised or loosened. This is due to moisture that is added to the flooring while termites live there.

They can also damage walls. You might see discolored or drooping drywall. There may be evidence in pinpoint holes in the drywall too.

Termites can make paint bubble and cause bumps in the walls. Windows or doors being stuck is also a sign to watch out for.

Hollow Wood

Termites are well known for their damage to wood. If you knock on a piece of wood, you may hear a hollow sound if it is hollowed out or punctured.

This is caused when termites create galleries. These are tunnels running parallel to the grain, leaving the wood hollow.

Furniture, floorboards, and walls may also end up with maze-like patterns. In any damaged wood, you might be able to spot cracks or splitting in the surface. A crumbling or damaged look can also indicate termite damage.

How to Get Rid of Termites

If you suspect a termite infestation, it’s important to take immediate action. A professional can help determine if you do indeed have termites and the extent of the damage. From here, they’ll figure out a treatment for your home to get rid of the infestation.

The termite treatment cost from a professional will likely be nowhere near the cost to fix the damage to your home if the termites are left unchecked.

Know the Warning Signs

The question of “do termites bite?” shouldn’t worry you anymore. However, pests such as termites can lead to serious damage and expensive repairs if they are not caught early. Watch your home for termite warning signs so you can avoid problems later.

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