Is your office building as safe as it should be? One hidden danger that many office managers forget about is termites.
These invasive pests love wood and can do serious damage to your office building. They can be found anywhere, but the cities of Miami, Los Angeles, and Tampa have some of the biggest termite problems in the US.
How can you spot termite infested wood to see if your office has a problem? To learn more, keep reading to find a few key signs that your office may have a problem with termites.
Termite Infested Wood Means Damaged Walls
If you notice the wood in your office, both interior and exterior, has changed, you may have a termite problem. The wood in your office may sound hollow or thin when you knock on it, because it is—termites have eaten away within the insides of the wood, leaving it thin.
You may also notice that doors or windows have become harder to open or shut. While this is sometimes due to heat and swelling, it can also be caused by termites.
Termites create moisture as they eat the wood of your building, causing it to warp and become out of shape.
Look for Termite Droppings
You may think you’re seeing sawdust piles on the ground around your building, but this may actually be termite droppings. They are in the shape of tiny pellets and may pile up around the office, a sure sign that there’s a termite infestation in the building.
You’ll See Mud Tubes
Termites create what’s known as mud tubes as the tunnel through the wood of your building, moving around, eating and making nests.
These aren’t always easy to see, but if you have a broken piece of wood or door, examine it closely for tubes or tunnels weaving through the grain of the wood.
Tunnels, along with droppings and wood damage, are things that will be looked for on a building and pest inspection, something every office should have done regularly.
A Termite Infestation Can Be Heard
If your office is quiet, you may actually be able to hear termites. You can hear clicking and chewing sounds as the termites move through the walls.
If you happen to notice this, or even discarded wings near the walls, which termites shed, then you need to get professional help right away.
Protect Your Office Today
If you’ve noticed any of these signs of termite infested wood in your office, then it’s likely you have a pest problem.
Termites can destroy a building quicker than you might think, so if you have an infestation, your best bet is to call an exterminator right away. They can come out and treat your building, removing the termite nests and keeping the structure of your building intact.
As a preventative measure, having your building inspected for pests on an annual basis will also help avoid any problems. Protect the safety of your employees and building and get started today!
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