Termites do not discriminate when it comes to eating wood. They will eat pillars, walls, furniture, and even the floors. The sooner you recognize a termite infestation, the more damage you prevent. All you need to do is to keep an eye out for signs of a termite infestation. In this article, we’re going to go over the signs that indicate that there is a termite infestation in your floors.
- Is a section of your floor sagging or sinking?
As an infestation grows larger and larger, it is capable of causing a tremendous amount of damage. There are situations in which a large enough colony will damage the support beams under the floor over a period of time, which leads to sagging in your floors. The floors which have been affected also feel like they are sinking or like they are springy if you step on them. If you notice these signs in your home, you have to contact a pest control specialist right away, before more damage is done.
- Does your floor sound hollow when you step on it?
As termites consume wood, they leave the wood hollow, and this can be detected if you tap on a piece of wood and it creates a peculiar sound, as if the wood is empty on the inside. This sign can occur in any type of wood, but it can be particularly noticeable in your floors, because some areas will sound hollow as you step on them.
- Does your floor look water damaged?
Termites need a lot of moisture to survive, and most species will create their own humidity in their colony and the wood that they infest. This leads to observable water damage in heavily infested wood. Signs such as softening, swelling and staining can give away the presence of termites. Not only that, but this higher humidity can lead to mold and mildew. However, not all water damage comes from termites. Sometimes, you are just dealing with a plumbing issue, and sometimes you are dealing with both a plumbing and a termite issue.
- Is your floor creaky or squeaky?
Termite damage can also cause floors to creak or squeak as you step on them for the same reason that it can make floors sag – the damage affects the subfloor and support pillars underneath. Although, at this point, the damage is not as extensive as when the floors sag.
If you notice any of these signs when it comes to your floor, or other type of wood in your home, you should call a pest control professional and set up an appointment. Unchecked termite infestations can cause a lot of damage if the colonies are large enough. Contact us today if you suspect that you have a termite infestation in your floors.
