There are over 4,000 species of termites in the world, though thankfully not all of them can live and thrive in New York City. Those species that do find conditions here amenable to their lifestyles can, however, very quickly wreak untold damage on wooden structures if left unchecked. Most of the time outward signs of termite infestation will not be present until it has already established itself. Keeping on the look out for the early warning signs below can help to ensure that property owners know when to call in an exterminator for Termite Control in Queens before the situation gets out of control.
Trails Along Walls
Often subterranean termites leave trails of mud along exterior walls, along floor joists, and on support piers. These will be about the diameter of a pen. Chances are if they are present in a building, so are the termites that made them. Cut open one of the tubes to look for signs of current use. There will likely be termites inside the tube, although even if it has been abandoned that doesn’t mean an infestation is not occurring elsewhere in the building.
Damaged Wood
Dry-wood termites typically tunnel through the inside of the wood, but this will leave signs of their presence visible on the surface as well. Cracks in the outer veneer, or signs of maze like tunnels in larger cracks, are both sure signs that the center of the wood has been hollowed out. This often causes depressions on wall coverings as the wooden material beneath them is removed.
Holes in Drywall
Often termites will bore tiny holes in drywall or plaster to get to the wood underneath. These holes will usually have dirt around the edges and are likely to be fairly plentiful by the time they are noticed. Tap firmly on the surface to see if anything falls out. Termite fecal pellets are a sure sign that the damage is due to a current, not a past, infestation.
Noticing these or other signs of a current infestation? Don’t panic. Contact Business Name. to learn more about termite control in Queens or to schedule a property evaluation.
