How Easily do Termites Spread from Wall to Furniture

Termite infestation can be your worst nightmare. Once a termite problem kicks in, the pests can quickly spread from wall to furniture.

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Can Termites Spread from House to House?

Did your neighbor notice signs of an infestation? When you see termite activity, the first instinct may be to find a professional exterminator. Sometimes, it can even cause panic.

However, you do not have to necessarily begin termite treatment when your neighbor has signs of termites.

But, seeking professional help for a termite inspection is always a good idea.

One of the most destructive types of termites is subterranean termites.

They live in the soil. The eastern subterranean termite species depend on a is cellulose-based food.

Besides, the subterranean species move aimlessly in all directions for up to 230 feet.

While other termite species follow mud tubes, the underground termite colonies do not follow a specific path.

In addition, termites cannot differentiate between new and old houses.

As a result, a termite attack can happen in a new home and leave an old one untouched.

Nonetheless, termites can spread from one building to the next under certain conditions.

If the houses have the same age and materials as the affected areas, there is a good chance of an infestation in the adjacent structures.

Besides, neighboring buildings with the same humid environment in the soil can be prone to termite infestation.

Formosan termites are the most common termite species in the United States.

Thus, if you see signs of termite infestation, calling a professional exterminator for reliable termite control treatment is recommendable.

As said earlier, termites can quickly spread from one place to another.

Hence, they can easily go from walls to the home’s foundation. Ultimately, the furniture in your home can become their next food source.

How do Termites Spread from House to House?

Through Mud Tubes

Termites can travel from one new colony to the next through underground mud tunnels.

If there is a crawl space in your house, termites create small holes that join their colonies and food sources.

Subterranean termites spread in all directions, searching for different points to infest. As a result, they can trace their way into the foundation of your home.

By Flying

Termites can also fly to build new colonies in other houses. When termites start their reproductive process, the swarmers grow wings.

They leave their swarm holes and fly off to look for reproductive males.

Once they find mating partners, the winged reproductive termites form new colonies in the new locations.

They shed their wings and build a new colony when they see a suitable environment.

New Constructions

Termites will most likely infest the structure of your home if there is a new construction project within close vicinity. Most homeowners begin to notice signs of a termite infestation at such moments.

Essentially, an acre of land can house up to ten termite colonies. Since all large colonies have many termites, numerous properties can share a single one.

If something disturbs any of the territories during the construction process, the termites can move in all directions across the surrounding buildings.

Hence, the buildings adjacent to the new construction become more vulnerable to termite infestation.

Additionally, termites mainly migrate to look for food. They end up foraging for food in buildings and wooden structures.

When hunting for food, the pests create mud tunnels to create a path to the food source.

The tubes go through the foundations and walls of buildings. The phenomenon leads to the creation of new colonies.

Termites may not cause significant damage to the houses within your neighborhood at once.

But, it will be crucial to conduct regular termite inspections on your property.

The best way to guarantee your peace of mind will be through termite prevention.

An expert pest control company will prevent potential termite activity and structural damage to your home.

Through Wood

In addition, a person can transfer termites through wooden structures. Termites live on wooden surfaces.

The affected wood could potentially host a queen termite. Usually, queen termites can develop colonies in new places.

Aging Wood

Termites take shelter in aging wood. Wooden planks from uninhibited stables or wrecked structures also create the ideal environment where termites can shelter.

So, bringing the infested wooden timbers to your property can transfer the pests into your home. In most cases, homeowners use the wood for DIY projects, thus spreading the termites.

Besides, subterranean termites eat through wooden surfaces and cellulose-based structures.

Thus, if they infest your home, they chew through walls followed by furniture.

They can also spread from walls into wood flooring. Even worse, the notorious pests can stay unnoticed for a long time.

Termite Species Found in Furniture

A homeowner can site different types of termites on their property. Let’s check out some of the termite species you can find in your home.

Damp wood termites: are usually present in humid environments. Thus, they are likely to be found in households.
Drywood termite: commonly found in household items such as door frames, fixtures, floorings, and wooden walls.
Subterranean Termites: Formosan termites are the most voracious species of termite that can chew through any material.

Signs of Termites in Your Furniture

Are you worried that your expensive furniture is suffering from termite damage?

Maybe you suspect the presence of termites in your wood furniture. What signs should you look for in your house?

Let’s find out how you can tell if your property damage results from termite infestation.

Search for Damaged Wood

When termites invade your home, they first cause damage to wood surfaces. The surface of the infested furniture becomes rough.

The amount of damage that results from the first impact of termites is usually invisible to the naked eye.

Fecal Matter

When termites feed on wood, especially dry wood, they defecate. They leave behind brownish gritty droppings that look like coffee grains.

Another name for termite feces is frass. When you look beneath infested wood structures, you may see termite droppings of the same color as the wood.

Sometimes, the termite frass may look like sawdust. However, you should pay close attention to know the right step.

Furniture Releases Hollow Sound

If you think there is a termite infestation issue in your home, you should tap your furniture.

Tapping helps you to confirm the presence of termites. If they are there, the wood will produce a hollow sound.

You can call experts for a free termite inspection followed by professional extermination.

Detecting Swarm

You must be familiar with the term ‘swarm’ by now. Well, the name refers to a group of winged termites.

If your home gets infested, winged termites will crowd the wood surface.

It would be best to search for swarm holes before they can cause extensive damage to your property.

It would be prudent to look for entry points in the affected areas before they destroy every piece of furniture.

How Can Termites Spread into Your Furniture?

Termites are destructive unwelcome guests. They invade and start building colonies that result in costly damage to your property.

Termites do well in places with excessive moisture. If your furniture is in a moist environment, it becomes the perfect dwelling spot for pests. Thus, exposing your furniture to water damage will attract termites.

Besides, termites can invade your furniture through second-hand purchases. The used furniture can be a potential site for termite infestation

Keeping old cardboard boxes also creates termite risks

Piling useless paper only to discard them can give termites a reason to infest your home and, eventually, furniture

How to Handle Termite Infestation

Termite infestation is the last thing you would want to experience. However, when pests invade your home, you have to deal with them regardless.

Let’s look at a few incredible hacks for permanently eliminating termites.

Using Table Salt

Sodium chloride, commonly known as table salt, is a crucial cleaning agent and disinfectant.

Hence, when soaked in several cotton balls, a mixture of water and salt can do the trick. Applying the mixture to the affected areas drives the termites away.

Boric Acid

Boric acid is also a crucial remedy that can rid your furniture of termites. When using boric acid, it is vital to take adequate precautions.

Storing the acid away from the reach of children is crucial. Also, whatever happens, do not let it into or close your eyes.

Kerosene with Turpentine

Take equal portions of kerosene and turpentine and mix them. The role of kerosene is to soak the timber.

Turpentine prevents the termites from feeding on the wood any further. The mixture provides a good way to prevent further termite infestation.

Essential Oils

Essential oils are also a crucial home remedy for getting rid of termites. You can spray eucalyptus cinnamon or orange oil on your home fixtures.

Use a spray bottle to apply the essential oils on the surfaces for better results.

In addition, exposing your furniture to direct sunlight is crucial. Termites feed on dampened wood. Also, you can use termite spray on the affected areas.

Seek Professional Help

Calling an experienced termite exterminator is the best solution. A professional pest control company will prevent infestation.

Also, their crucial techniques will work faster and will be more effective. Thus, if you have a termite problem or suspect having one, it is vital to call proficient termite inspection experts.

Final Thoughts: How Fast can Termites Spread from Wall to Furniture?

Termites are some of the most destructive pests. They can move from house to house. They can travel from your home’s foundation to walls and floors when they do.

Eventually, since termites feed on wood, they can spread to your furniture.

The best way to rid your home of termites is with the help of professional pest control experts.