How do you know if you have a termite infestation?

Identifying a termite infestation can be challenging, as termites often remain hidden and cause damage from within. However, there are several signs that can indicate their presence:

1. Discarded wings: After swarming, termites shed their wings. Finding a pile of discarded wings near windowsills, light sources, or other entry points is a common sign of a termite infestation.
2. Mud tubes: Termites construct mud tubes to protect themselves while traveling between their nest and food sources. These tubes, which are typically made of soil, wood particles, and termite saliva, can be found along exterior walls, foundation walls, or other surfaces.
3. Hollow-sounding wood: When termites feed on wooden structures, they hollow out the wood from the inside. Tapping on infested wood may produce a hollow or papery sound due to the absence of solid wood.
4. Small holes in wooden surfaces: Termites create small entry and exit holes in wooden structures as they tunnel through. Look for tiny holes with accompanying frass (termite droppings) nearby.
5. Sagging or weakened wooden structures: Infested wood may appear blistered, sagging, or weakened. Termite damage weakens the internal structure of the wood, causing it to lose its strength and integrity.
6. Termite droppings (frass): Drywood termites leave behind fecal pellets, resembling tiny grains of sand or sawdust. Accumulations of frass near termite entry points or on surfaces below infested wood can indicate an active infestation.