- Mon, 16 Nov 2020
- Carlos Melgar Craftsman Handyman
Protect Your Home and Learn the Signs of Termites in Drywall
No homeowner wants to deal with a termite infestation. This is because this pest can cause about $30 billion in damage to crops and structures each year. If you want to protect your home from this, then you must know the signs of termites in drywall.
What is terrifying about having a termite problem is that they can go undetected for years. So, you may not know that your house is getting destroyed for many years. For that reason, you need to know what this destructive household pest can do to your home.
Termites create havoc all day, every day. This is because they eat 24/7. So, whenever you find signs of termite, you can be sure that they’ve been at work for a long time. But, you can prevent this from happening. Read our blog to learn how to spot this terrible pest.
Why Is a Termite Pest Dangerous?
Before we discuss the signs of termite damage, it’s important to learn why they are so dangerous. This pest will enter your home in search of food sources. Most people think that termites eat wood. While this is true, what termites are actually looking for is cellulose.
Cellulose is what gives plants their structure. Termites have enzymes that help break down cellulose into the nutrients they need. Besides plants, you can find cellulose on wood, cardboard, and paper.
It’s vital that you know the different types of termites and what each can do to your home. We will talk about this next. Then, we’ll tell you why termites can damage your drywall.
What Are the Different Types of Termites?
There are about 2,000 different types of termites in the world. But, there are three species that cause the most damage. These are:
- Subterranean termites
- Drywood termites
- Formosan termites
Subterranean termites are the most common in U.S. households. They live underground in damp and moist soil. The three main types are worker termites, soldier termites, and swarmers. There are also male and female reproductive termites.
These types of termites create underground tunnels that go up your home’s foundation and walls to look for food sources.
Drywood termites are mostly found on houses, fences, and trees. They don’t need as much moisture as subterranean termites, which is why they don’t live underground. Since they feed mostly on wood, you can find them on your wall studs, some attic areas, and even furniture.
Formosan termites, also known as winged termites, are among the most aggressive species out there. This is because they like to eat wood and a lot of it. So, they’ll find any wooden structure to feed their entire colony.
They create mud tubes to travel and keep their desired humidity levels. Also, these mud tubes keep them hidden from carpenter ants, spiders, and other predators.
Can Termites Damage Drywall?
So, now that we’ve talked about some of the most dangerous species of termites, it’s time to discuss what they can do to drywall.
As we mentioned before, termites feed on cellulose, which is found in paper. Drywall is made of plaster or gypsum panels covered in paper. It is this paper that termites are attracted to.
If your home’s walls and ceilings are covered with drywall, then you need to be careful of a termite infestation.
These Are the Signs of Termites in Drywall
Termites work for years underground and inside your structures. As a result, you will notice the damage until years later. If you find winged termites in your house, then you can be sure you have a termite problem. This is because it takes years for a colony to be that big to create swarmers.
Most homeowners find out they have a termite pest when they do a renovation. But, by then, the damage has already been done. So, there are signs that you should look out for to avoid getting a bigger problem.
Even though termites create havoc in any structure where they find cellulose, we’ll focus on the damage they can do to drywall. Beware that when you notice any visible signs, then the termites have already spent years destroying your home.
Signs of Termite Damage
These are the signs of termites in drywall:
- Trails or mud tubes under the paint
- Bubbles or peeled paint
- Mud spots or pinholes covering small holes in the wall
- Discolored drywall
- Hollow wood
- Crumbling baseboards under slight pressure
- Buckling wood
The first four points are visible signs of termite infestation in your drywall. The last three are harder to pinpoint, which is when you should call a specialist to come and help you.
Termites will be drawn to the paper in your drywall. So, they will start working underneath your walls and start to eat the paper away.
When this happens, you’ll find narrow trails or mud tubes. This is where and how the termites travel all along your walls. You can find these on both walls and ceilings.
You may also notice some mud spots on your walls. Termites, mostly subterranean, will eat through your drywall to create small, pin-sized holes. These holes are used to dispose of their fecal matter, commonly known as frass.
They will then repair the hole with mud. This is because they don’t want any exposure to the outside air or light. If you find these mud spots, then you can be sure termites are invading your drywall.
Termite Treatment: What to Do to Prevent Future Problems
So, you’ve found out you have termites in your house, now what?
It’s not enough to know the signs of termites in drywall; you have to take action.
Once you notice any of the signs we mentioned above, it’s time to call a professional for termite treatment. The experts recommend spraying Termidor as well as setting baiting systems to kill the worker termites.
It’s also important that you prevent future problems by having regular termite inspections. This is the safest way to ensure that you don’t deal with this problem ever again.
After this, you will need to fix your walls so that they look in tip-top shape again. For drywall repair caused by termite damage, we recommend contacting a professional handyman . A handyman will know if it’s necessary just to patch a section or replace the entire board.