You notice a section of wood around your home that looks damaged. Maybe it feels soft, appears discolored, or has started to crumble. Is moisture causing the wood to rot, or could termites be eating away at it from the inside?
Termite damage and wood rot can sometimes look surprisingly similar, particularly to an untrained eye. However, experienced inspectors know what clues to look for when determining what is causing the damage.
Looking at the Pattern of Damage
One important clue is how the wood has deteriorated. Wood rot occurs when fungi break down wood exposed to excessive moisture. Depending on the type and severity of decay, rotten wood may appear darkened, cracked, spongy, stringy, or crumbly.
Termites damage wood differently. They consume cellulose and often work inside wood where they are protected from view. By the time the surface begins to show obvious signs of trouble, significant internal damage may already be present. Inspectors may find hollowed areas or galleries running through the wood.
Searching for Evidence of Termites
The condition of the wood is only part of the inspection. A professional will also look for other signs of termite activity.
Subterranean termites, for example, may build mud tubes that allow them to travel between the soil and a food source while maintaining the environment they need to survive. Inspectors may also discover live termites, discarded wings from swarmers, damaged structural wood, or other evidence of an active or previous infestation.
Moisture Provides Another Clue
Because wood rot is closely associated with moisture, an inspector may look for leaking pipes, roof or drainage problems, poor ventilation, or wood that regularly remains damp.
Unfortunately, moisture can also make a property more attractive to certain termites. That means finding moisture-related deterioration does not automatically rule out termite activity. In some cases, a home may even have both wood decay and termite damage.
Don’t Guess When Your Home Is at Stake
It can be tempting to poke at a suspicious piece of wood, decide it is probably rot, and forget about it. That could allow a hidden termite infestation to continue causing damage.
If you see suspicious wood damage or other possible signs of termites, contact us at Richies Termite and Pest Service for a professional inspection. When it comes to termites, it’s better to be safe rather than sorry. If termite damage is discovered, we can also help with the necessary termite damage repairs, giving you one place to turn for both identifying the problem and addressing the damage it has caused.