Hidden beneath the beauty of your hardwood flooring lies a world of hidden activity that could jeopardize its integrity. Termites are a common enemy for many Raleigh, North Carolina, homeowners, silently feasting upon your wooden foundation and causing irreversible damage.
Discovering the early stages of termites in hardwood floors can help save your home from extensive disrepair– and protect your wallet!
From the faint traces of mud tubes to the slight distortions on the wood’s surface, each clue can bring you closer to the location of these pesky insects. Keep reading to learn more about the top signs of termites lurking under your flooring in Raleigh, North Carolina!
Early Stages of Termites in Hardwood Floors
Hardwood flooring is irresistible for termites, offering them a cellulose-rich feast and a sturdy home. The dense composition and nutritional value of hardwood make it a prime target for these wood-munching creatures.
Some termite species may establish colonies within the hardwood, savoring the abundant cellulose while enjoying its stability and durability. Hardwood’s moisture-retaining properties and contact with the ground make it even more enticing to subterranean termites, who construct mud tubes to access the wood.
To stay safe from these invading pests, keep an eye out for subtle signs that you may have a termite infestation under or within your hardwood flooring.
Swarming or Alate Termites
Notice flying pests seemingly pouring out of your floor or walls? You may have a termite infestation lurking within your Raleigh home!
Winged termites (also known as swarmers or alates) emerge from their mature colonies with a sole goal in mind: find a mate and establish new colonies. You may spot them fluttering near windows, doors, or light fixtures– seeking a way out to find their new homes.
Identifying swarmers requires a keen eye, as they look similar to reproductive ants or other winged insect species.
Here’s a little secret to differentiate them from pesky flying ants. Termite swarmers have straight antennae, a broad waist, and pairs of wings that are equal in length. Flying ants sport elbowed antennae, a narrow waist, and front wings longer than the hind wings.
Discovering swarmers indoors should set off alarm bells, which could indicate a long-standing infestation or early stages of termites in hardwood floors. Newly developed alates could eye your precious hardwood floors as its new home and next conquest.
If you catch a few winged explorers, hold on to them for identification purposes and swiftly contact us here at Innovative Pest Solutions to conduct a thorough inspection of your North Carolina home.
Mud Tubes Near Your Flooring
That’s not just ordinary dirt on your walls! Those could be the telltale tunnels meticulously crafted by termites, serving as their secret highways between their cozy nests and the tempting feast of your precious hardwood floors.
These tubes aren’t your average construction, mind you. They consist of a blend of soil, saliva, and termite excrement. Talk about creative building materials!
You can spot these muddy marvels by inspecting the surfaces of walls, foundations, or any wooden structures that make contact with the ground.
These tubes, about the diameter of a pencil, serve as termite expressways, allowing them to journey while maintaining the ideal moist and secluded environment they adore. These tubes appear flattened when built on vertical surfaces, like muddy pathways reaching upwards.
Examine visible wood beams and walls near your hardwood floors for signs of mud tubes. Any sign of these messy marvels strongly indicates an active termite infestation and is a clue of the early stages of termites in hardwood floors.
Hollowed Out or Damaged Hardwood
As they indulge in your flooring, termites create intricate tunnels and galleries within the wooden fibers. The result: weakened or hollowed sections that could spell disaster for your flooring.
You can perform a tap dance of sorts to unveil the secrets beneath the surface. Grab a solid object, like the handle of a trusty screwdriver or a mallet, and lightly tap or knock on various hardwood floor areas.
Listen closely for any noise as you tap on the wood. If it emits a hollow sound, different from the solid thud of unaffected areas, you’ve uncovered potential termite damage lurking beneath.
Remember, termite infestations can cause significant structural damage if left unchecked. So, be vigilant, be proactive, and ensure your hardwood floors remain inviting for dancing feet rather than a buffet for insatiable termites.
Blistering Floorboards
As these greedy insects feast on wood flooring, their destructive appetite can lead to noticeable changes in the appearance and structure of your hardwood floors too. Blistering floors is another one of the early stages of termites in hardwood floors to keep an eye out for.
You may notice an uneven or distorted surface with slightly warped, bubbled, or dented flooring. These irregularities may vary in size and can be felt underfoot, creating an unsettling sensation when walking across the affected areas.
Blistering occurs when the termites consume the wood from beneath, causing the top layer to detach and form small bulges or blisters. Similarly, sagging floors indicate a more advanced stage of termite damage. As the termites relentlessly feed on the structural components of the hardwood floor, it weakens and loses its ability to bear weight evenly.
Check out this blog to learn more about how you or a trusted professional can fix sagging floors!
Innovative Can Help Eliminate and Protect You Against Termites!
While there are many signs, it’s often difficult to detect the hidden clues in the early stages of termites in hardwood floors. Protect your home from the relentless damage of termites with Innovative Pest Solutions. Our comprehensive Raleigh termite services are designed to safeguard your investment and bring you peace of mind.
We offer a free termite inspection, where our expert team carefully examines your property, leaving no corner unchecked. We diligently search for signs of termite activity from the garage to the basement, crawl space, and even the slab. By identifying existing infestations, we can tailor our treatment to provide the most effective solution possible.
Our advanced termite treatment involves precise drilling, trenching, and targeted treatment application around your foundation walls. This creates a powerful barrier of protection, fortified against termite invasions. With our industry-leading techniques and top-of-the-line products, our skilled technicians ensure maximum effectiveness and long-lasting results.
Contact us today for your complimentary termite inspection and experience peace of mind with Innovative Pest Solutions. Let us be your trusted partner in protecting your home from the destructive forces of termites!
