3 Signs You Might Have a Termite Problem

July 26, 2022

Termites are pretty pesky. They can scurry into your home unbeknownst to you and take over your walls or even your entire house. Luckily, the insects are relatively easy to identify. With the help of a pest control company, you can take plenty of steps to treat an outbreak and even avoid termite infestations in the future. According to The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Americans spend about five billion U.S. dollars on average on termite damage repairs alone. The following are signs you have a termite problem.


1. A Musty Smell


Termites are complex little insects that can wreak havoc on your home and its contents. They can build colonies in wood by tunneling through it or by making mud tubes on the surface of the wood. The termites can produce more saliva as a colony without proper ventilation in the area, and the saliva has a distinctive smell that is often not pleasant. If your home smells foul, call a pest control company to help eliminate termites.


2. Debris or Droppings


You might have a termite problem when you see wooden debris around your home. It's possible the wooden debris is remnants of a termite colony feasting on light-colored wood like cedar. They may also be droppings from the insects' attempts to feast on your home if they are hardwood. The droppings may also mean there are active termites themselves. Either way, it would be wise to contact a pest control company to handle the situation as quickly as possible.


3. Damage to Your Home


When you notice that part of your house structure has damage, it could be because of a termite infestation. Some signs you may see are gaps or holes in the wall, a crack in the foundation, visible wood damage, and an exterior wall with visible cracks. Pipe leaks and water stains are also signs of termite infestation. Call a pest control company to help you out in these cases. You should also contact a professional if your pipes are leaking and have water stains on them.


When you notice the above signs, get out your bug spray and do something about it immediately. You can prevent further damage as well as eliminate the infestation. Have a pest control company inspect the structure if you notice much damage to your building.


If you discover that there are termites in your home, do not panic. A pest control company will assess the damage and determine a course of action for treatment. For more details on how to identify and get rid of pests, please get in touch with us today here at Dunphy's ExtermaPest Inc.

By Josh S. June 5, 2025
The Real Cost of DIY Bee and Wasp Removal (And Why You Shouldn’t Try It) When bees or wasps show up on your property, your first instinct might be to grab a can of spray and go after the nest yourself. We get it. No one wants to wait around when their kids or pets are at risk of getting stung. But if you’ve ever thought about handling a hive or nest on your own, you might want to think twice. Here’s the truth: DIY bee and wasp removal can end up costing you more time, money, and safety than calling a professional from the start. 1. You’re Not Dealing with a Few Insects—You’re Facing a Colony Seeing a few bees or wasps buzzing around usually means there’s a hive or nest nearby with hundreds—sometimes thousands—of insects. Spraying a few with store-bought chemicals might knock a couple down, but if the queen and the colony are still active, the problem is far from over. We don’t just knock down the nest. We locate it, remove it properly, and treat the area to prevent them from coming back. 2. Store-Bought Sprays Won’t Cut It Those hardware store sprays? They’re a temporary fix at best, and dangerous if you’re not fully protected. One wrong move and you’ve got an angry swarm coming your way. We’ve seen plenty of cases where someone tried to “save money” on a DIY job and ended up needing a trip to urgent care. We come with the right equipment, protective gear, and decades of experience to handle it safely and efficiently. 3. Not All Bees Are the Same—and Most DIY Jobs Don’t Know the Difference There’s a lot of confusion out there when it comes to bees. Some people think all bees are endangered and shouldn’t be touched, but that’s just not the case. We care about our wild life as much as you do. The European honey bee (Apis mellifera), which most people are familiar with, is not an endangered species. In fact, it’s an invasive species here in North America. They were introduced from Europe and are managed primarily by beekeepers. There are thousands of other native pollinators in North America—like bumblebees, moths, butterflies, beetles, and even flies—that do just as much (if not more) pollinating than honey bees. We do not go after healthy, active pollinating bees that are doing their job out in the open. What we do target are hives that are in places where they pose a danger to people, pets, or property—inside walls, under patio covers, play structures, attics, etc. That’s when it becomes a safety issue, and that’s when you need professionals involved. 4. Calling Us First Actually Saves You Money We get it—no one wants to spend money on something they think they can handle themselves. But when you factor in the cost of wasted sprays, the damage from improper removal, or the risk of medical bills, calling in a professional starts to look like the smart choice. Bottom Line You don’t need to risk your safety or buy into misinformation to protect your home. Not all bees are endangered, not all pollination depends on honey bees, and not all hives belong near your living space. If you’ve got bees or wasps nesting too close for comfort, let our team handle it. We’ll solve the problem the right way—without harming the pollinators that are out there doing their job. Call Dunphy’s ExtermaPest today at (760) 321-7378 and let’s get it taken care of.
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