How to tell if you have a termite problem

Termites are a major problem everywhere in the United States. If you have wood anywhere around you, then you should worry about getting a termite infestation. This, of course, applies to Waldorf, MD homes. There is plenty of wood in the DC area and our climate is just right for termites.

Termites can cause thousands of dollars of damage to your Waldorf home. Plus, they can weaken support beams and other crucial elements of your buildings, which creates a very unsafe situation. In order to stop a termite problem before it begins, you need to know the signs that you have a termite problem. Read on to find out more.

How to spot termites

There are some very specific signs that you have a termite problem in your Waldorf, MD home. There are actually hundreds of different types of termite species. But, most species create similar signs of infestation. The following are the most common signs for almost all types of termites.

1. You see mud tunnels.

Mud tunnels are made by subterranean termites, the most common to infest Maryland homes. Mud tunnels are long, thin tunnels made out of mud. The termites use them to move from feeding site to feeding site along your walls. Often you will find these tunnels at the foundation of your home or along baseboards.

2. You see termites or their wings

Seeing a termite is a great sign that you have a termite problem. Termites are fairly hard to spot, except when they are swarming. Therefore, if you see a termite at all, you know that there are likely others in your Waldorf home.

Also, termites swarm when they are looking for a new nesting site. To do this they have wings that they then discard. So, if you see a lot of wings near your home’s entrance ways—they look like fish scales—you can be pretty sure that termites have decided to set up shop in your house.

3. You see termite pellets

Termites pellets—or poop—look like small piles of wood shavings. This makes sense, of course, because termites eat wood. They push the pellets out of their mud tunnels. So, if you see a lot of small piles of wood shavings around mud tunnels or along the base of walls, then you can be pretty sure you have an active termite colony.

How to get rid of termites

Okay, so you’ve discovered signs of termites in your home. Now what? The important thing is to not panic. Your best course of action is to call in professional termite exterminators. For people in the DC area, especially Waldorf, MD, your best bet is to call Barefoot Pest Control. We have decades of experience getting rid of termites.

Barefoot Pest Control is a locally owned and operated pest control company. We specialize in termite extraction and prevention. You can learn more about our termite control options here. Plus, we offer free inspections, estimates, and service within four hours. If you suspect a termite problem, contact Barefoot Pest Control today.