It’s termite season! Whether you are buying a home, selling a property, or are living in your own home… beware! Termite season is here, and these pests are on the hunt for new wooden structures which to feast on both inside and outside of the home. Here are some fast signs to determine if there may be termites invading your home or listing:

Swarms of flying insects: Thousands of termite swarmer’s will emerge suddenly, or a pile of these dead winged insects would be found on the ground throughout the house. A quick tip is to use Windex as a knockdown when you see this occurring. A second tip would be to call a professional immediately as it is better to catch the problem early on. Keep in mind that as the weather changes from cold to warm termite swarms appear throughout the Hampton Roads Area.

Mud tubes or shelter tubes: Termites are subterranean and need a covering in order to not dry out. They create a highway of sorts through a series of mud/shelter tubes. They travel from the ground to the home.

Wood damage: Like termite or wood rot, wood damage would indicate that the wood has been compromised. Call a professional to evaluate the damage and solutions needed to be made.

Cracked or bubbled paint: This could either be moisture issues or termites. Rather than painting over these bubbles, further investigate this as both possibilities can lead to greater issues.

Piles of dust: As termites eat, they drop small piles of dust (also known as frass). In order to prevent the possibility of this issue to begin with take the time out to have your home inspected by a professional quarterly or once a year, every year.