Termites are cryptic pests that don’t announce their presence. From deck supports to floor joists to kitchen cabinets to dining room chairs, Clark Pest Control termite inspectors and technicians have found termites in some places that might surprise you.

One of the most intriguing locations took place in a home where a customer called after seeing some unusual looking bugs inside. She wanted to know what they were. During the inspection, the technician noticed movement inside a picture frame that was hanging at eye level on the wall.

A closer look indicated that subterranean termites had infested and were eating the wooden frame. The termites had built a mud tube inside the wall void from the crawlspace underneath the house and chewed through the drywall at the exact location of the frame. She hadn’t noticed the termites before she saw swarmers flying around.

Five signs of termites

1. Termite swarmers: Young female and male winged reproductive termites are called swarmers. In springtime, termite swarmers will emerge from the nest to mate and search for a new location to start a colony. Typically, this includes our homes. As such, termite swarmers, or their wings discarded near windowsills and doors, are often the first (and only outwardly visible) sign of a termite problem.
   
   
2. Mud tubes: Subterranean termites, the most destructive termite species, build mud tubes to keep them moist while they travel between their colony and food source. Mud tubes are most often found near a home’s foundation or in a crawlspace.
   
   
3. Wood damage: Termites tend to eat wood from the inside out, so wood that sounds hollow when tapped often signifies a termite infestation. You also should look for pieces of wood that show blistering.
   
   
4. Uneven or bubbling paint: Uneven or bubbling paint is often a sign of moisture buildup, which could mean one of two things – water damage or termite presence
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5. Termite frass: Light, wood-colored droppings that resemble sawdust or sand inside or outside the home.
   

Termite control is proactive

Clark, your friendly pest control, rodent, mosquito, and termite control expert, would like to emphasize the importance of being proactive when protecting your home from termites.

Proactive here means getting an annual termite inspection, and eliminating conditions known to attract termites, such as excess moisture or wood in contact with soil. Being proactive can save you time, hassle, and a lot of money.

Protecting your home from destructive subterranean, drywood, or dampwood termites is a priority at Clark Pest Control. We offer comprehensive free termite inspections conducted by highly trained inspectors. If termites are found, we will deploy the latest innovative termite control products and application techniques to target and eliminate them.

For maximum protection against termites, you might consider scheduling a no-obligation home wellness inspection, which includes a complete termite inspection. You also can ask for more information on Clark Pest Control’s exclusive termite protection programs, which are designed to protect your home from future infestations and damage caused by all species of termites.

Call California’s trusted, friendly termite control expert at (800) WE-NEED-YOU (936-3339) or email us at clarkcares@clarkpest.com to schedule your home wellness inspection to defuse the termite threat.

Until next time, the pest management professionals at Clark Pest Control thank you for helping to keep unwanted pests out of your home and yard.