What do termites look like?

Once you have bought your Arizona home, your goal is to keep in as great a condition as when you bought the property.  That means more than just aerating your lawn.  In fact, it means knowing what termites look like when you come across these destructive pests.  Luckily, here in the greater-Phoenix area, you have the help you need in case termites show up at your house.  First things first, you need to know what termites look like and what kind of damage they can cause to your property. 

Damage Caused by Termites

Termites are small.  The damage they can do to your house is not.  As such, looking for termite damage is your best sign that you might have a termite problem.  You should keep your eyes open for the following:

• Discolored sheetrock
• Sagging floors
• Bubbling/peeling paint
• Wood that crumbles easily
• Jammed doors and windows
• Tiny holes in drywall

From the outside, a termite infested house looks like any other house on the block.  Living in colonies that build nests behind walls and in hidden places, they can cause damage for years before a problem is noticed.  Indeed, damage can run the gambit from minor superficial damage to major structural problems.  Like a cavity, however, the sooner you have a professional look at the problem, the sooner you start reducing the damage.

What Do Termites Look Like?

Here in Arizona in general and Phoenix in particular, there are two species of termites that residents must be concerned about: Drywood Termites and Subterranean termites.

What Do Drywood Termites Look Like?

If you are wondering what drywood termites look like, they have large mouthparts, mandibles, which are larger than their bodies and measure in at about 12mm.  Owing to their small size, most homeowners notice the signs of their existence long before spotting the pests.   Specifically, piles of fecal pellets, called frass, will be noticed in places like windowsills, and serve as a warning of possible infestation.

What do Subterranean Termites Look Like?

Subterranean termites, as their name implies, can be found underground.  Contact with soil provides these destructive pests with optimal moisture and temperature.  To reach above ground food sources, such as your home, subterranean termites build mud tunnels comprised of fecal matter, sawdust, and spit. 

For homeowners inspecting their homes for potential infestations, the surest way to tell if there is a subterranean termite infestation is large swarms of flying termites along with evidence of their mud tubes.  Since these are difficult to identify, a professional inspection is important in keeping this infestation out of a Phoenix, Arizona home.

Your exterminator will assess your property for signs of this destructive past. They will then act accordingly should they find these signs that you are not alone in the house. While they are mostly found under the house in the dirt, they also gather above ground in areas where there is a ready supply of moisture.

Calling for Professional Help

While you might not know what termites look like, the professionals at Budget Brothers Termite & Pest will notice the signs of an infestation.  As mentioned, sagging floors, drooping sheetrock, and damaged wood trim are all signs there might be a termite infestation problem.  Clearly, locating and identifying termites is difficult with the naked eye.  For that reason alone, property owners in the greater Phoenix, Arizona area should call the expert team at Budget Brothers to identify what termites look like. 

Not only do we know what termites look like, we also understand their habits and habitat. So homeowners can trust us to identify, locate, and remove any termite infestations that might be taking over their property.