Wildlife, Rodent, & Pest Control Services

Almost all pest species can be destructive inside a home but subterranean termites are the most destructive by far. These pests are responsible for property damage that costs billions of dollars to repair every single year in the United States. The warm, humid climate in Knoxville is perfect for termites and they commonly invade local homes to feast on the wood cellulose within floors and walls.

Unfortunately, spotting a termite infestation isn’t always easy. Subterranean termites rarely emerge from their tunnels and it can take some time for the damage they cause to become apparent. If you’re worried about a termite infestation in your Knoxville home, read on to learn some early warning signs of a termite presence.

5 Signs of a Termite Infestation

1. Strange Damage to Walls – While termite damage is usually not readily apparent until it’s widespread, close examination of your walls can lead to the early discovery of subterranean termites. When termites eat their way through wood, they will often leave tiny exit holes on the surface. Unfortunately, these exit holes are usually covered by paint or wallpaper. More obvious signs of a termite presence can include wood walls that are buckling or sagging, bubbles in wall paint, and peeling wallpaper.
2. Warped Windows & Doors – If you’ve started to have trouble opening your windows or doors, it’s possible that there’s a termite infestation in your home in Knoxville. The wooden frames of doors and windows tend to be early targets for subterranean termites, since the wood is easy to access. As termites eat their way through the wood, the frames will become warped, which results in them being much more difficult to open and close. If this has happened, try knocking on the affected door or window; a hollow sound is a likely indicator of termite damage.
3. Squeaky Floors – It can take a long time for termite damage to floorboards to become visible. When the damage does become apparent after months or years, it is often mistaken for water damage, which looks somewhat similar. However, an early sign of a termite infestation in your Knoxville home may be squeaky floors. As subterranean termites eat away at floorboards and the joists that support them, your floor will weaken and may begin to squeak when you walk over it. If a squeaky spot suddenly appears on your floor, you may want to search for other signs of a termite presence.
4. Mud Tubes – When you find tubes made of mud running up the side of your home in Knoxville, it’s a sure sign that you have a termite infestation. Termites dry out easily in direct sunlight, which is why they normally live underground. Termite workers build mud tubes so that they can travel from their subterranean colony to the wooden structures of a house without being exposed. You may find one or multiple mud tubes built along your home exterior. Don’t waste your time destroying them, as the termites can easily build more; just contact a reliable pest control company.
5. Swarmers – The reproductive members of a termite colony are known as “swarmers”. These swarmers have wings, unlike termite workers, and will begin to appear in the Knoxville area in spring. Also unlike termite workers, swarmers will emerge from the ground in order to take flight and start new colonies. If you see termite swarmers on your property, it could mean that your home is already infested and the swarmers are moving on to start a new colony. It could also mean that the swarmers are newly arrived and trying to establish a colony. Either way, if you see termite swarmers, it’s time to call a pest control company.

Knoxville’s Best Termite Exterminators

If you’ve seen signs of a termite infestation in your home, it’s important to call a reliable local pest control company before the damage becomes too severe. Contact Critter Wranglers today if you need termite control services in the greater Knoxville area!