It's estimated that termites cause $3 billion to $5 billion worth of property damage in the United States alone every year—imagine what the figure is worldwide! While termite swarms and mud tubes are easy to spot, other signs of infestation are more subtle.
Tap at your baseboards to see whether they've been hollowed out from within. Check for small, brownish-black spots or small piles of “dry powdery muck” that looks like pepper (it's actually termite waste) along baseboards or in kitchen cupboards. If you think you may have termites, don't dawdle. Have a state-certified, pest-management professional inspect your home right away.
Michael Pettigrew/Shutterstock
Don’t waste time dealing with termites; call a professional right away.
