Termite Ceiling Damage

Termites consume a variety of cellulose, organic materials and may infest books, picture frames, window trims, furniture, floors and ceilings. Damage caused to ceilings by termites commonly resembles light water damage. Affected ceilings buckle and sag, eventually costing homeowners thousands of dollars in repairs.

Termite damage can be notoriously hard to spot. Often, evidence of termite activity isn’t found until significant damage has already been done.

When it comes to termite damage in ceilings, drywood and subterranean termites are the most common culprits.

Drywood termites can swarm directly into your home through any entrance and establish a colony in your ceiling or attic space.

Subterranean termites, on the other hand, need soil to survive. They use mud tubes to scavenge up the side of homes, potentially reaching a ceiling space. Subterranean termite ceiling damage is most likely one of the last stops on a colony’s feeding expedition. If you notice mud tubes leading up to your roof or ceiling, you’ll want to inspect the rest of your house, foundation and all, to ensure that further damage hasn’t been done.

How to Spot Termite Damage in Ceilings

As a homeowner, it’s important to know the signs so you can remain vigilant. While spotting the pests can be hard, look out for the following telltale signs:

• Cracked ceilings When drywood termites infest structural timbers in your ceiling, cracks may occur due to the shifting wood.

• Termite droppings Drywood termites leave behind ridged, light-brown fecal pellets called frass. When they clean out their nest, they push these droppings out through holes.

• Piles of wings or mud tubes If drywood termites recently swarmed, you may find their discarded wings in piles around your home or attic. For subterranean termites, mud tubes climbing up your home’s walls or foundation is a problematic sign.

Prevent Termite Ceiling Damage

Termites do not discriminate over a good meal — whether you’re in an older home or a brand new build, it’s imperative to be on the lookout for signs of termite damage as well as conditions that make them more likely to seek out the wood or wood products in your home.

To prevent costly repairs, homeowners can employ the services of professional pest control companies to perform annual inspections. With annual inspections, Orkin can help identify subtle and visible signs of termite damage and inform you of ways to help proactively protect the place that matters most. Early detection through the use of new technologies may save homeowners expense and hassle in the future.

If you believe you’ve seen signs of termite damage in your ceilings, call an Orkin termite specialist right away for a free inspection.

Termite Control

How do you know if you have termites?

Learn the signs to look for to determine if you might have a termite infestation.

Why should you be worried?

Termites cost Americans more than $5 billion in damage each year and most insurance plans don’t cover the damage.

Schedule a FREE termite inspection

We’ll determine whether you actually have termites, then discuss a treatment plan including financing that works for you.

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