The most obvious method of determining if you have termites on your property is when the wood starts falling apart and your foundation is compromised. But you’ll probably want to recognize the signs, long before they become a serious problem. The good news is that while termites are a pain in any homeowner’s neck, there are a few distinct signs you can look for. Using these tricks, you can determine if your property has a termite issue, long before the termites would damage the foundation of your home.

The first thing you need to look for is bug remains. This can be in a few different forms, such as living/dead bugs, bug wings, and bug droppings. Termites leave behind small little droppings that are wood-colored. If you notice droppings like this, you’ll want to promptly call a pest control service or a Spartanburg exterminator. Your Spartanburg exterminator will be able to determine what the droppings are caused by. More obvious answers like living bugs can help you to know there is a problem on your property. Termites that are outside, not burrowing, are often winged insects. This means you need to be on the look out for any winged bugs in the area. This includes evidence, such as fallen wings and carcasses. These are tell-tale signs that something is infesting your property and it’s time to call your Spartanburg exterminator and get a termite inspection report.

Another thing to look for is signs of burrowing. Termites use mud tunnels outside of your home to tunnel their way towards the wood. These tunnels might seem like nothing, but it’s always better to be safe than sorry. These tunnels are used to find food and protect termites while they are burrowing. These tunnels can be built on and under things, so if there is any outdoor furniture, you might want to move it regularly to check underneath for termites

A more tell-tale sign of a termite infestation is paint chipping off the wood or small holes starting to appear. If you’re noticing drywall on the floor, or paint chips, it’s time to start inspecting the area thoroughly for termites. While there are many other reasons the paint might be chipping off wooden surfaces, it doesn’t hurt to investigate. You’ll want to check around your house for hollow-sounding wood because that is most likely where you’re going to find the evidence of a termite infestation. You are still able to prevent total disaster if you catch them quickly. A few holes in the wood is preferable to the whole foundation becoming termite food.

Now the best way to prevent a termite infestation is to keep your home and the surrounding property clean. This means that you store wood chips and other excess wood away from your home. You should store mulch in the garage, or a shed, to avoid leaving it out in the open. These are ideal targets for termites, as their main food source is wood. You should also make sure to keep areas like your gutters clear of debris, to prevent creating additional hiding places for termites to live.

Contact your Spartanburg exterminator, Gotta Bug Call Doug at (864) 582-3684 for your termite inspection report and personalized treatment plan.