The first and most useful thing to say for this title is that termites love cellulose. With the help of a specific bacteria in their bodies, they are able to convert this cellulose into the nutrients, and cellulose is found in many plant-based products like paper. Unfortunately, drywall is a material that consists of gypsum and 2 plaster panels covered with paper. So, it becomes a big and delicious open target for termites. But don’t worry, in this article, I will talk about how to protect your drywall from termites and what measures you can take.
Signs of Termites – How do I know If there are termites on my drywall?
There are several signs that we can observe in termite detection. These signs vary according to the termite species. There are two main families of termites: Drywood and Subterranean Termites. We will soon examine these termite types from the traces they left to the damage they made. But first, here are the common signs of you have termites:
- Termites leave holes in the wall or wallpaper in the form of pinholes.
- Subterranean termites leave stains in these holes, but you cannot see this dirt in drywood termites.
- You can see faint lines on the wall. These lines indicate the tunnels they dug in the wall.
- Spilled paint
- A hollow sound when you tap the wall
Drywood Termites
These termites usually have a light brown color and can range in color from dark brown to light yellow, also it has gray wings.
The type that actually harms the wood has a whitish color.
If you notice piles of insect wings in certain places, this may indicate a termite. Because very few types of insects shed their wings this way. So if you find a pile of wings like this, it is likely to be a termite.
If you see winged insects coming out of wood areas or going out at night, this may indicate termites. These are often confused with flying ants. It is useful to check these wooden areas.
These types of termites make small pinholes in the walls and use these holes to expel their excrement, called frass. These droppings look like small pellets of wood.
Subterranean Termites
These are the most common type of termites. Termites make small holes in drywall. Subterranean termites fill these holes with soil, but drywood termites do not. Also, you can tell these termites by the mud tubes they use to transport their food.
Damage inflicted by such termites often looks like the beginning stage of the water damage.
Subterranean termites create labyrinths in the areas they wander, so if you see any unusual patterns, tiny holes, or discolored walls in your walls, you should hurry and have it checked as soon as possible.
Termite Damage Repair
The sad part is that termites can go unnoticed for a long time and that way, they can cause deeper and more serious damage. For this reason, it is very important to have your home inspected immediately when you see the slightest sign of termites.
They may also have splashed into critical parts of your home that help with structural integrity, such as wooden joists. At this stage, you may be faced with greater costs for inspection and repair.
Many insurance companies do not cover this damage because they consider it as preventable. Therefore, I would say check if your insurance policy covers this kind of damage. Because the average cost of termite treatment and damage repairs is about $ 8,000.
Prevention from Termites
There are many methods you can use to keep termites out of your home.
- First cut out all the wood, soil contact around your house.
- From the foundation of your house, remove all the plants, wood, paper, cardboard, etc. In fact, only the concrete foundation of your home should contact with the soil. This will be a game-changer.
- Be sure that your plants are 6 inches away from your home.
- Check and fix your sources of excess moisture, such as leaking taps.
- By properly maintaining the exterior of your home, you will prevent possible water leaks, and thus you will not create a suitable environment for termites.
- Direct your sprinkler heads away from the exterior wall of your home. Remember that subterranean termites love moist environments.
- Leave the shrubbery trimmed 12 inches from the exterior of your home. This will provide good airflow and will allow damp areas to dry faster.