How to Identify Termite Activity

Signs of Termites

Termites can often live on your property or inside your home for an extended period of time before being detected. Whether it’s drywood termites, which burrow deep within wooden structures, or subterranean termites, which are primarily found underground, these discreet intruders can be tough to discover before significant damage has already been done. To help keep damage to a minimum, it’s crucial to catch the warning signs as soon as possible.

How to Identify Termite Infestations

Detecting a termite infestation early is essential to prevent costly structural damage to your home. Termites can silently compromise the integrity of a building, making it important for homeowners to recognize the warning signs of their activity. Here are some common indicators to look for:

• Flying Termite Swarms: Swarmers, or flying termites, around your property, often signal the beginning of an infestation.

• Piles of Wings: Discarded wings resembling fish scales, usually found near windowsills and doors, are left behind after swarmers take flight.

• Mud Tubes: Subterranean termites build mud tubes along foundations or in crawl spaces to travel between their colony and food sources.

• Hollow-Sounding Wood: Wood that sounds hollow when tapped could indicate termites have been feeding inside, often causing damage that goes unnoticed.

• Discolored or Drooping Drywall: Termite damage can cause drywall to sag or discolor due to moisture and structural issues.

• Peeling Paint: Bubbling or peeling paint, resembling water damage, may indicate moisture from termite activity.

• Small Pinpoint Holes in Drywall: Tiny holes in drywall are a potential sign of termites tunneling through the material.

• Buckling or Warped Flooring: Termite-related moisture can lead to warped or buckling wooden or laminate floorboards.

• Loosening Tiles: Excess moisture from termites can loosen floor tiles over time.

• Excessively Squeaky Floors: Increased squeaking might signal damage to the wooden structures beneath your flooring.

• Crumbling or Damaged Wood: Visible wood damage, such as crumbling or soft spots, is a clear indicator of termite feeding.

• Maze-like Patterns in Wood: Tunneling termites often leave behind maze-like patterns in walls, furniture, or flooring.

Subterranean Termites vs. Drywood Termites

Subterranean and drywood termites are two destructive types of termites with distinct behaviors, habitats, and infestation patterns. Understanding their unique characteristics helps homeowners proactively protect their property from damage.

Signs of Drywood Termite Infestation

Drywood termites thrive in warm, southern climates and can cause significant problems for homeowners. Unlike subterranean termites, these pests establish their colonies directly within the wood they feed on, creating intricate tunnels and chambers in walls, furniture, and other wooden structures. One of the most noticeable signs of a drywood termite infestation is the presence of tiny, pellet-like droppings called frass, often found in small piles near infested areas.

Homeowners should also watch for sagging floors, walls, or ceilings that resemble water damage but lack an obvious source. Additionally, winged drywood termites, or swarmers, shed their wings after mating, leaving behind small piles of discarded wings that resemble fish scales.

If you notice any of these warning signs, it’s a good idea to get in touch with a termite exterminator. Early detection and swift action can help prevent extensive structural damage and preserve your home’s value.

Signs of Subterranean Termite Infestation

Subterranean termites are among the most common termite species in the continental United States and are notorious for their underground colonies and unique behaviors. Unlike drywood termites, these pests build their nests below ground and use mud tubes to travel above ground in search of food. These tubes, which look like dry, brown, cylindrical structures, are often found along a home’s foundation, particularly in areas with cracks or unsealed gaps.

Another key sign of a subterranean termite infestation is the appearance of winged swarmers. These reproductive termites typically emerge in large groups during the spring, leaving behind small piles of discarded wings near windows and doors.

If you notice mud tubes, swarmers, or other signs of subterranean termites, contacting an exterminator promptly can make a big difference in preventing serious damage and keeping your home safe.

Termite FAQs

Why do termites shed their wings?

Termite swarms may take place inside or outside of a home as mature termites leave the nest to start new colonies. Soon after swarmers take flight, they shed their wings. You may find small piles of wings in spider webs and on surfaces around your home’s foundation, like windowsills.

Why do termites swarm?

Swarmers from mature colonies typically leave the nest at one of two times per year - during the spring or during the fall. The exact timing of the swarms varies based on the species and weather conditions. Swarms on the exterior of a home may be missed by homeowners, as they are typically a brief event during the morning or afternoon – a time when many people are not at home. Formosan termites also can swarm at dusk.

What is a termite mud tube?

Subterranean termites build mud tubes (also known as shelter tubes) to serve as bridges between their colony and the wood they consume. These tubes are made of tiny pieces of soil, wood and debris, and are used to protect the colony from predators and conserve moisture.

What do termite droppings look like?

After consuming wood, drywood termites often leave behind frass or droppings. These tiny fecal mounds often indicate a nearby termite infestation.

Professional Termite Control

If you suspect termite activity on your property, make sure to contact an exterminator as soon as possible. Orkin Pros are trained to address any current signs of termites in a house, as well as implement solutions to help prevent future issues. Through a specialized approach to termite control, Orkin can help protect your home with a termite treatment plan suited to your specific needs.

Don’t let termites eat through your home! To learn more about how to prevent termites, contact your local Orkin branch.