Home invaders like carpenter ants, wasps, and other wood-boring insects can cause mayhem. They eat away at wooden structures until they collapse or have suffered irreparable damage when left unnoticed for long periods of time. For many who rent, the situation can be disruptive, while for homeowners, it can become costly. In a strange turn of events, one renter discovered what appeared to be sticks or twigs hanging from her ceiling and was horrified when she learned they were actually termites.
Termites are difficult to get rid of, often requiring the help of professionals. Yet, they’re more than just harmful. They’re also less than sanitary, which for most parents isn’t ideal. One mom from Australia discovered 2 “sticks” hanging from the ceiling of her bathroom. Understandably, she became alarmed and turned to the internet and home experts for advice.
Some Suggest Termites
Fortunately, the internet is a great place to turn when someone has a question. In many cases, someone on a social media platform will have had a similar experience, dealt with the problem before, or, at the very least, been able to brainstorm possibilities. Luckily, she got some helpful feedback from many people suggesting the possibility of wood-boring insects like mud wasps and termites.
“It looks like termites; get your roof checked as soon as possible,” said one user. “They are some kind of garden termite, I had them in a rental once,” commented another. Several dozen other followers agreed, and they were correct. It turned out to be termites. The 2 “sticks” were believed to be mud tubes, which termites create to protect themselves from predators and “drying out.” Unpleasantly, termites create these tubes from wood, dirt, saliva, and other bodily functions, and they can be found both indoors and out. These insects feed on and nest in wood, “cellulose-based”, and other dead plant material.
Statistics
According to The Daily Mail, around 34,000 homes are damaged annually by termites in Australia. Bad news for the U.S. as termites are commonly found in 49 of the 50 states. According to experts in pest control, using store-bought remedies rarely works, as well as help from a professional. Furthermore, in many cases, the termites have grown in numbers so severely that professional help is highly recommended. Termites are difficult to detect, which often plays a major role in the amount of damage they cause.
Luckily, there are some obvious signs that your home may be infested by termites. For example, mud trails leading up to homes or buildings, moisture stains on walls, faint tapping noises, power failures, or soft/unstable floorboards. Additionally, it’s also highly recommended to have annual inspections to ensure everything is on the up and up. Moreover, in some cases, previous treatments that have been used for getting rid of termites and other wood boring insects may be found on the home’s meter box.
Termites are not only unpleasant to deal with, they also can cause a great amount of damage in a small amount of time. It’s important to maintain awareness of the possible pests invading a home, so as to help minimize any damaging effects.