Say the word "termites" to a homeowner and watch them cringe. Termites are not just an expensive nuisance. Left unchecked, they can literally undermine one of your biggest investments and force you to spend thousands of dollars not just in eradicating them, but in repairing the damage they have caused.

Signs that Termites Have Set Up Shop

Inspect your home regularly for signs of termites. The sooner you spot the trouble, the easier termite treatment will be.

1. Since termites eat wood from the inside out, a cursory visual inspection for damage might not reveal much. However, small tunnels of mud along the wood is a sure sign that termites have set up shop. If you do see direct damage to the wood, the termite infestation is well advanced, and will take serious treatment to alleviate.
2. Tiny wings that have been shed around your home's foundation are a telltale sign of termites. These tiny wings might be found in spiderwebs, along the ground near the foundation, or on surfaces in basements and other areas where termites can find entry.
3. Tiny mounds of droppings are often signs that termites have infested your home. The droppings will almost always be found beneath or beside wood underneath your house.
4. Scouts flying around your home in the early morning or late afternoon hours are a sign that your home might not be infested yet, but soon could be. The scouts look like tiny ants with wings. They will fly around looking for a place to set up a new colony, so if you see them, take steps to start termite control immediately, before they can establish themselves.
5. Many homeowners first spot termites when they are doing a home remodeling project. The termites look a bit like ants, and when their home is cut into with a saw blade, they often come streaming out in droves, looking for a new place to hide. If this happens to you, drop everything you are doing and contact professionals for termite treatment.

Termite treatment is a process with two phases. First, the pest control professional will eradicate the termites. Then, the wood will need to be sealed to prevent further damage from new termite colonies. Repairing damaged wood with wood filler is a good way to ensure that the damage doesn't cause further problems for your home. If there are areas that are simply too worn away to be repaired, replacement of the damaged areas will be necessary.