Termite Damage: Everything You Need to Know

Last updated: 11/8/2021
Estimated read time: 3.5 minutes

Forget the monsters under your bed when you could have silent destroyers invading your home. With no eyes to see and typically measuring between ¼ to ½ of an inch long, a tiny bug-like termite does not sound like much of a threat, but they are much more powerful than they seem. If you do not keep a keen eye out for these little homewreckers, they could inflict costly damage on your home.

Below, we’re breaking down everything you need to know about termite damage.

How Much Damage Can Termites Inflict on Your Home?

Termites are referred to as silent destroyers due to their capacity for unnoticeably destroying your home. They are not easy to detect if you are not mindful of their warning signs. The longer that these wood-munchin’ monsters go undetected in your home, the higher the risk of homeowners experiencing unsalvageable damage to their homes.

Each year, termites damage approximately 600,000 homes in the U.S, resulting in U.S. residents paying nearly $5 billion annually on termite repair or damage. And the worst part? Most home insurance plans don’t cover termite damage.

The reason termites are so dangerous is because they don’t just cause cosmetic damage to your home — they eat away at your home’s structure from the inside out. Repairs vary in costs depending on the severity of the infestation, but one thing is sure: the sooner you realize they’re there, the less damage they’ll cause.

Termite Species that Cause the Most Damage

The two most common types of termites in the U.S, out of the 2,000 identified species worldwide, are the Drywood and Subterranean families of termites. The subterranean termites are the most destructive species in the U.S. A single underground colony of termites can hoard up to 2 million termites — all waiting to feast on the foundation of a home. Learn more about how termite colonies work here.

Signs of Termite Damage in Your Home

Like we said above, the sooner you identify the presence of termites in your home, the less damage they can cause. Homes primarily constructed of wood have the biggest risk for a termite infestation, but homes made from other materials are also susceptible. Regardless of what your home is built with, keep an eye out for the most common signs of termite damage — which include:

• Swarm of termites inside your home or in nearby soil
• Lost wings of termites inside your home or window sills
• Termite tube or tunnel, or “mud tunnel” on exterior walls, wooden beams, or crawl spaces
• Soft or hollow wood
• Uneven or bubbling paint
• Termite droppings

How to Prevent Termite Damage

Aside from receiving regular termite inspections, there are other measures you can take to make your home less attractive to these insects. This includes:

• Regularly checking foundation for decaying or moist wood
• Securing all termite-welcoming access points, such as any gaps around water or gas lines
• Using mulch with cellulose-free alternatives and keeping mulch 6 inches from the foundation of your home
• Addressing any leakages immediately
• Regularly checking your home to ensure there are no standing pools of water near the foundation or on the roof of your home

Get Professional Termite Protection Today

Termites are ancient insects who have been munching on wood since nearly the beginning of time! Termites have roamed the Earth long enough to have seen the mass extinction of dinosaurs and the making of society as we know it today. Although we see them as pests, destroyers, and robbers of our homes and hard-earned money, termites play a massive role in maintaining the health of our soil and forests. Termites break down tough plant fibers as decomposers, recycling dead and decaying trees into the new soil. It’s no wonder why these pests have been around for so long!

While termites have a role in society, they certainly don’t have a place in your home. One of the best ways to prevent termite damage in your home is to get year-round termite protection from a professional pest control company that can repel termites from your home through a barrier. For over three decades, BOG Pest Control has protected homes from termite damage and offers the best termite treatment and protection methods for homes in Maryland and Northern Virginia.