Summer Maintenance: Check for Termite Damage

Because they eat every day, all day, termites can wreak serious havoc. Here's to identify telltale damage to your house, both inside and out.

Termites are insects that eat wood and other products containing cellulose -- things like wood, wallpaper, books and even boxes. These white-ish, sometimes winged insects (they kind of look like grains of rice) live in colonies with populations that range from a few hundred to millions.

They can enter your home through cracks in your foundation, so be sure to fill in any cracks in or around the exterior of your home. Termites can also hitch a ride into your home inside of used wood furniture. I've been the victim of two termite swarms just this year in two different apartments, so I know these little buggers quite well. When they swarm it looks like something right out of an insect horror movie.

So how do you know if you have termites?
Summer is the best time to get outside (and inside) and inspect your home for these telltale signs.

If you find a pile of what appears to be insect wings in a section of your home, you might have a termite colony nearby. Termites are sometimes mistaken for flying ants -- but unlike flying ants, they will shed their wings once they've settled on a new place to colonize.


-- The most obvious sign of termites are termite mud tubes. Because they move from the colony to the food source, termites often create tubes or tunnels. Look for these at the places where your home meets the soil, like basement walls and floors. You may also see mud build-up around the exterior of your home, which is another tell-tale sign.

-- Softening wood is another sign that you may have termites. If you start to see dips, cracks or crevices in your hardwood flooring it could be the result of a termite colony. Wood that begins to flake, fall apart or turn to dust should be further investigated. Also, you can tap on your wood; if it sounds hollow, you might want to check with a knife or screwdriver to see if it's being eaten on the inside.

Remember: termites act quickly, so you should too. Regular inspection and immediate treatment with a pest control professional who specializes in termites are they keys to ridding your house of these destructive critters.