Each year, termites cause more damage to homes in the United States than natural disasters. Georgia’s warm climate allows these destructive pests to thrive, putting homes in the Atlanta/Alpharetta area at greater risk.

If you knew you had termites in your home, you would probably call termite control in Atlanta right away. Unfortunately, a termite problem isn’t always so obvious – you can have these pests in your walls for years without even realizing that they’re there.

Because termites can go undetected for so long, it’s important to inspect your home for signs of termite activity at least once a year. Being able to spot these pests early on can help you prevent serious structural damage and save you from spending thousands of dollars on major repairs.

Signs of a Termite Infestation

The sooner you’re able to detect termites in your home, the sooner you can call termite control in Alpharetta to solve the problem. Here are some of the most common signs of a termite infestation that you don’t want to overlook.

Hollow Wood

Termite problems often go unnoticed because the damage usually isn’t visible on the surface. Instead of chewing wood from the outside, termites burrow and eat away at wood from the inside, making it weak and hollow.

So while the wood in your home might look fine at first glance, you might actually have trouble brewing underneath. To check, use a screwdriver or a hammer to tap places where wood is close to or comes in contact with the ground. If it sounds hollow, it could be a sign of a termite infestation. It’s a good idea to check attic and basement wood as well, as these are also common food sources for termite colonies.

Termite Mud Tubes

To travel from their underground nest to their main food source (in this case, your home), termites build thin, winding mud tubes from soil and saliva. Most commonly, these tubes originate from the ground and snake up exterior walls and foundations.

Termite mud tubes can also be found hanging like thin stalactites, usually in basements and attics. Any kind of termite mud tube should be a huge red flag – if you see these structures anywhere in your home, call local termite control in Atlanta immediately.

Swarming Termites

In most cases, the only termites you’ll actually see are swarmers. Commonly mistaken for flying ants, termite swarmers only have one purpose – to start a new colony.

If you see these pests swarming outside your home near a tree stump or a pile of wood, don’t panic just yet. It doesn’t necessarily mean that your home is infested, but it’s still a good idea to take preventative measures to make sure it stays termite-free.

On the other hand, seeing a swarm of termites inside your home is a very strong indicator of an infestation. Swarms only last for an hour or so before the termites either find soil or die from dehydration. Because of this, homeowners are often lulled into a false sense of security after the swarm disappears. Don’t let your guard down – conduct a thorough inspection of your home right away.

Contact Termite Control in Atlanta for a Professional Inspection

The best way to know if you have termites is to have a professional termite inspection. While there are many ways homeowners can check their own homes for termite activity, a pest control service provider has the experience and knowledge of termite behavior needed to complete a much more thorough inspection.

North Fulton Pest Solutions is proud to provide quality termite control in Alpharetta, Atlanta, and surrounding cities. Our experts know exactly what to look for during an inspection. If we do find termite activity, our termite treatment plan uses proven colony elimination technology to give you peace of mind and help prevent the problem from happening again.

Take the first step to protect your home from costly termite damage. Contact North Fulton Pest Solutions today for a free termite estimate!