One of the most vulnerable places in your home for termite damage is your wall. The walls of your home are usually thin, and they come in contact directly with the ground, in most cases. This allows termites to access them easily and create tunnels virtually unnoticed, until it is often too late.
Termites will create extensive damage in your walls because of the amount of surface area that is easily accessible to them. Termites will find a large source of food in walls, so they will usually create many tunnels and areas close to this food source.
When looking for termite damage in your walls, keep in mind that it may appear as light water damage. If your termite damage is visible from the inside of your home, the interior damage could be very great. Look also for any wood that appears chewed or sounds hollow when it is tapped. Another termite indicator can be a pile of translucent wings near the walls. Termites shed their wings as adults when they swarm.
Termite-damaged walls are often not structurally sound and have to be replaced, which can cost a lot of money. However, there are preventative methods you can take to help combat termites in your walls, whether it's new construction or an existing home.
With new construction, have a pest-control professional pre-treat your walls in the early building phase. This will minimize any chances of infestation in the future, and is a great insurance policy. In existing homes, set up a yearly inspection for termites with a reliable pest control company. Having a pest control professional do a thorough examination for termites each year will keep you aware of any trouble from the onset. This will allow you to manage the termites and keep them from extensively damaging your home.