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Termites cause billions of dollars in property damage across the United States every year, and that’s not pocket change. Even more surprising? A single termite colony can eat through up to a pound of wood every day. Because they usually stay hidden inside walls, floors, and foundations, they can quietly chew away at your home for months or even years before you notice anything is wrong. By the time the damage becomes visible, it can already be extensive and expensive.
The good news is that there are ways to stay ahead of termite trouble. Knowing where your home is most vulnerable, recognizing the early warning signs of an infestation, and taking a few preventative steps can make a big difference. Below, the experts at All-American Pest Control answer some of the most common questions homeowners have about termites and how to keep them from turning your home into their next meal.
How Much Damage Do Termites Cause in the United States Each Year?
Every year, termites cause over $5 billion in property damage. How do they do it? Their main advantage is that they eat wood from the inside out, so it takes a long time for homeowners to discover an infestation. By the time a termite infestation is detected, termites have often caused widespread and significant damage to the structural components of the home.
On average, termite damage costs homeowners around $3000 in repairs per affected home. This price can decrease if the infestation is caught early, but it can also be significantly higher if the termites have been in the home for years. Unfortunately, termite damage is usually not covered by homeowners’ insurance plans, making the entire cost of repairs an out-of-pocket expense.
How Fast Can Termites Destroy Wood Inside a Home?
As we already mentioned, a large termite colony can eat up to a pound of wood per day, but what does that actually look like? Termites work continuously, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In Tennessee, it stays warm enough in the winter, especially in your heated home, for termites to remain active all year long.
Once termites establish themselves in your house, they’ll start to chew small tunnels through the wooden structures in your home. A one-foot section of a 2x4 stud can be compromised in just a few months, with significant structural weakening occurring in three to five years. That means that your house will be damaged to the point of being dangerous to live in within five years.
What Parts of a Home Are Most Vulnerable to Termite Damage?
The major problem with termites is that they tend to stick to the structural elements of your house when choosing their meals. Although they occasionally infest wooden furniture, they’re more likely to be hidden away inside your walls, damaging the parts of your house that hold it up.
Some of the most common areas to find termites include:
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Floor joists
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Support beams
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Wall studs
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Subflooring
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Roof supports
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Wooden window and door frames
Once they’ve infested these spaces, termites will hollow out the wood from the inside out, weakening support systems until the infestation is discovered or they eventually collapse.
Can Termites Cause Structural Collapse?
The good news is that termites won’t cause structural collapse as soon as they move into your Tennessee home. The bad news is that if they’re left to their own devices, that’s exactly what will happen over time. Structural collapse occurs from prolonged, undetected damage. This will typically take years, but because termites can go undetected for so long, it is a possibility.
A severe termite infestation can weaken load-bearing beams. You may notice your floors sagging or feeling spongy. Your ceilings may begin to bow. In extreme cases, partial floor or ceiling collapse may occur.
Beyond Structural Wood, What Else Can Termites Destroy?
Sometimes termites show up in areas of your home that aren’t structurally critical. And sure, if you had to choose between termites damaging the structure of your home or just causing cosmetic issues, you’d take cosmetic damage every time. But the truth is, damage is still damage. Even when termites are “only” affecting things like trim, flooring, or other visible parts of your home, repairs and replacements can still add up quickly.
Common items infested by termites include:
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Hardwood flooring
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Cabinets
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Built-in shelving
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Wooden furniture
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Books and paper products
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Baseboards and trim
Why Is Termite Damage Often Hidden Until It Becomes Severe?
Termites can’t be out in the open because the air dries them out. When they get into your house, they stay out of sight, which makes it very difficult to identify an infestation. They may be inside your walls, in the attic, or in your crawl space; all areas where you’re unlikely to spend time or have easy access to inspect.
Furthermore, when termites start chewing through wood, they start inside the wood and work their way out. You could look at the outer surface of an exposed beam and think that it looks completely fine, when in reality, it’s riddled with tunnels.
Once you discover an infestation, it’s difficult to figure out how far the damage has spread. It’s also more costly to repair termite damage than many other types of pest-caused damage because of how hard these areas can be to access.
What Are the Warning Signs of Termite Infestation?
Signs of a termite infestation are not obvious. Usually, signs don’t show up until a colony is well-established in your house. That said, if you know what to look for and remain vigilant, you have a better chance of identifying a termite infestation in its earlier stages.
Look for these signs of a termite infestation:
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Mud tubes on exterior or interior walls or foundations that are about the width of a pencil
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Hollow-sounding wood when tapped
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Bubbling paint or peeling wallpaper
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Discarded wings near windowsills
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Termite swarmers- large termites with wings that come out in the spring in large groups
How Much Does Termite Damage Cost to Repair?
Repairing the termite damage in your house will not be cheap. However, the cost can vary greatly, based on a variety of factors. Some things to keep in mind are:
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The average termite damage repair cost is around $3,000.
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The cost can greatly exceed $3,000 depending on the severity of the infestation and the structural damage.
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Repair costs are separate from termite treatment costs. Both are necessary to protect your house.
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Homeowners’ insurance typically does not cover termite damage, meaning all of the costs will be paid out-of-pocket.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Termite Damage?
Most homeowners’ insurance policies do not cover termite damage. Insurance companies consider termites to be preventable, so if these pests get into your house and cause damage, you’re on your own to cover the cost of treatment and repairs. This is why you must take steps to prevent a termite infestation before it begins. Routine inspections, preventative maintenance, and early detection will save you thousands of dollars.
When Should You Schedule a Professional Termite Inspection?
Professional termite inspections should be a routine part of your home maintenance. All-American Pest Control recommends contacting us to schedule a professional termite inspection if:
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You’ve noticed mud tubes on your foundation walls
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Exposed wood sounds hollow when you knock on it
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You see termite swarmers or their shed wings in or around your house
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It’s been more than one year since your last inspection
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You’re purchasing or selling a home
Routine professional inspections act as protection against termite infestations and the large repair bills that come with them.
Schedule Your Termite Inspection Today
Although a termite infestation might start small, it will quickly grow. As long as it remains undetected and untreated, it will cause ongoing damage to your home, costing you thousands of dollars in repair and treatment costs. Save yourself the worry that you’re living in an unsafe home, the frustration of dealing with a major infestation, and the cost of repairs by scheduling your termite inspection with All-American Pest Control today. We’ve been solving termite problems for Tennessee homeowners for over 65 years. Get in touch with us today.
Your Trusted Nashville, TN Pest Control Experts
Since 1961, All-American Pest Control has been your go-to team of trusted pest experts for homes, businesses, and home builders throughout Nashville and Middle Tennessee. Our expert team offers termite treatments, mosquito reduction, rodent removal, ant and spider control, and wasp nest removal—keeping your property protected year-round. As a local, family-owned company, we take pride in offering reliable, professional pest solutions with outstanding customer service.
We proudly serve: Lewisburg, Chapel Hill, Cornersville, Petersburg, Archer, Beasley, Belfast, Berlin, Caney Spring, Cochran, Delina, Farmington, Graball, Holts Corner, Lunns Store, Milltown, Mooresville, Rich Creek, Robertson Fork, Silver Creek, South Berlin, Verona, Yell, and the surrounding areas.
For trusted pest control in Nashville, TN, and these surrounding communities, contact All-American Pest Control today! Call (615) 824-8814 or Schedule a Free Consultation online.