Noticing signs of termite damage, from damaged wood to peeling paint, is often a bad sign that you have a serious infestation in your home.

Drywood termite damage will begin in elevated areas of the home with drier wood sources. Dampwood, subterranean, and formosan termites will enter a home after traveling through soil underground, and damage is likely to start in areas with moisture. The unfortunate truth is that most homeowners don’t realize they have a problem until the house has hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of damage. By that point, it is just too late to salvage the wood, and a lot must be replaced.

If you spot signs of termite damage without actively searching for it, your prognosis may not be great. Because termites cause structural damage, it can be difficult to spot until the infestation is quite severe. It’s always best to actively keep an eye out for the following first signs of termite damage:

If you’re lucky, you may notice signs of termites before extensive damage has been done. Some of the most obvious signs you have termites include mud tubes, holes in your wood, termite droppings (frass), discarded wings, and, of course, seeing swarming termites. Termites can cause a lot of damage that goes unnoticed, so it’s important to look for early signs whenever possible to avoid absolute destruction of your home.

As mentioned previously, keeping an eye out for termites year-round is your best chance at preventing a full-blown infestation. If you are even suspicious of having termites in your home, it’s smart to call a professional pest control company that can thoroughly inspect your home. Staying vigilant about preventing termites can save you from a lot of costly expenses down the road.