Your home is likely your biggest investment, and you want to do everything you can to protect that investment. According to Consumer Affairs, the top three pests that pose a significant threat to people and homes are termites, mosquitoes, and ticks. Here are some of the most common signs that your home has a termite infestation.

1. Bucking or Blistering Wood

When a termite infestation takes hold, you'll likely see signs of damage in your wood flooring first. Subterranean termites often cause bucking and blistering in the wood by causing damage to the subfloor. You might see discoloration or a wavy appearance on the floor as a result. The subfloor is softer and preferred by termites, and since this part of the floor isn't visible daily, they might cause a lot of damage before you even know it.

2. Hollow or Damaged Wood in the Walls

Termite damage in walls looks a lot like long grooves in the wood. These are pathways where the termites have been feasting on the wood. Unfortunately, it's difficult to spot termites early as termites eat away the wood from the inside out. By the time any damage is visible, the infestation has likely gotten severe.

3. Swarmer Sighting

In our experience, one of the earliest signs of termite infestations is swarmers. These are flying termites that collect around your home or in one particular area. Swarmers have left their colony and are looking for mates and a new colony. This happens at certain times of the year and can indicate that your home could be at risk for an infestation. You should call exterminators as soon as you see swarmers near your home.

4. Discarded Termite Wings

Discarded termite wings are another tell-tell sign of termite colonies that might be nearby. You may find these near doorways, windows, and other access points. Once termites land, they twist off their wings because, in theory, they've found a place to make a colony and plan to stay there. They won't fly away again. Instead, they'll set up shop and start destroying any wooden structures there.

As you can see, the signs can be subtle but the danger is real. If you're looking for reliable exterminators to fight off termite infestations in the Stroudsburg, PA area, contact our team at Colwell Termite & Pest Control today. We're here for your pest control needs!