HOMEOWNER TIPS
After 22 years in this business, we have heard all kinds of statements from homeowners, some funny, some strange and certainly some upsetting. But one of the most common statements is “I saw that but I didn’t know what it was” or “I smelt something but couldn’t figure out where it was coming from”. Following is a list of common indications that should help you recognize that you may have a problem:
- Sawdust (frass) around doors, windows, eves of your house - Termites utilize cellulose products (wood, paper, etc…)and leave no sawdust like residue, so the chances are pretty good your dealing with carpenter ants or carpenter bees if sawdust is involved..
- Round holes about the size of end of your finger with sawdust – Carpenter bees are very common in this area. They usually attack unpainted or weathered wood. Holes are used as nests and adult bees will sometimes use holes to winter over in. Many times the galleries are elongated and opened due to woodpeckers opening them and enjoying a meal of young bees.
- Sawdust (frass) around moisture damaged wood – Sure sign of carpenter ants, the ants don’t eat the wood but will excavate the wood and build galleries for nesting purposes. Carpenter ants don’t usually attack sound wood, but once they get a foothold in your homes moisture damaged wood they will spread to the good wood to extend there nesting areas.
- Holes in your walls and woodwork – This is usually associated with mud packed in the whole. Working termites have no pigment in their skin and need moisture to survive above ground, the mud tubes are the classic “tunnels” they build to travel in to retain that moisture.
- Wings in window sills, garage floors, and around various light sources – reproductive termites shed their wings once they land (often confused with winged ants). The most common time for this is from early to late spring and even though unusual, can happen any time.
- Unusual smells – We hear statements about odors a lot. Musty, earthy, localized odors in closets, bathrooms and other enclosed spaces are indicative of moisture problems in crawl spaces/basements. This can be caused by leaks around plumbing, wet ground, high humidity keeping crawl space/basement wet, condensation around AC ductwork keeping insulation wet(very common in this area during summer months), poor drainage/improper crawlspace grade allowing water intrusion into crawl space areas.
- Other common odor causes – Dead animals in crawl spaces, attics and walls, rodent infestation, feral cats, high concentration of roaches…etc
