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As an Alexandria homeowner, you probably know a thing or two about household pests.

While some of them are relatively harmless, there are a few creepy-crawlies that you want to keep far away from your home. Termites are just one example. They cause more than $5 billion in property damage per year.

If you do not know the signs of termites, you could end up with a serious problem on your hands.

Keep reading to learn just a few signs that indicate you have termites in your home.

Discarded wings

When termites are out swarming, meaning not inside the walls eating your home, they can drop their fragile wings.

You can often only see them before their attack on your house begins. Swarms like this generally pre-date a new colony being created.

If you see a pile of tiny, almost transparent wings, you might have termites.

Mud tubes

 Mud tubes are one of the most obvious termite signs. They can be spotted outside of the home, going from the ground-up on side of the foundation.

They are little hollow mud pathways that the termites use to get from point A to point B, with point B being your residence. The tubes are sturdy and resistant to water, making them a safe way for the termites to travel.

If you see this little road system leading into your home, watch out.

Hollow walls

 If you bump or knock against your wall, what kind of noise do you hear? If you hear a distinct “hollow” noise, you might be in trouble.

Termites eat through the wood in your house, meaning that they are leaving spaces in your walls, allowing for that hollow noise.

There are other reasons for a slight hollow noise, but if you notice this in combination with other signs of termites, call an exterminator.

 Do you have signs of termites?

 If any of these things sound familiar to you, it might be time to seek out professional help for your Alexandria home. Catching the early signs of termites is essential to making sure that they do not cause irreparable damage.

Professional termite control

DIY treatments can be effective at preventing, killing and controlling termites, but they are not one-size-fits-all solutions. It can take some time to find the right method for your home, and in the meantime, termites can cause some severe damage.

By far, the best way to keep your home safe from termites is to call in a professional.

A professional pest control service will be able to figure out the best termite treatment for your home’s environment the first time.

A professional service will also be able to create a maintenance plan, so you will not have to worry about termites reinvading anytime soon.