How to Identify Termite Activity
Evidence 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 Tell If Termites Are Active in Your House
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Discolored or drooping drywall
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Peeling paint that resembles water damage
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Wood that sounds hollow when tapped
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Small, pinpoint holes in drywall
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Tiles loosening from the added moisture termites can introduce to your floor
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Excessively squeaky floorboards
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Crumbling, damaged wood
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Stuck windows or doors
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Maze-like patterns in furniture, floor boards or walls
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Mounds of drywood termite pellets, often resembling small piles of salt or pepper
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Piles of wings left behind after swarms, often resembling fish scales
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Mud tubes climbing the foundation of your home
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Flying termite swarms anywhere on your property
Why do termites shed their wings?
Discarded Termite Wings after Termite Swarm
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 window sills.
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 window sills.
Why do termites swarm?
Formosan Termite 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 Termite Mud Tunnel
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?
Drywood Termite Droppings
After consuming wood, drywood termites often leave behind frass or droppings. These tiny fecal mounds often indicate a nearby termite infestation.
How to Identify Drywood Termites
Drywood termites are usually found in warm, southern climates. They house their colonies within the wood on which they feed. As the termites consume wood, they burrow mazes of tunnels and chambers within walls and furniture. The pests leave small piles of feces that resemble pellets where they have eaten or nested.
Illustration of Drywood Termite
Drywood termites also cause sagging floors, walls, and ceilings and may leave behind areas which appear to be water damaged. After winged drywood termites swarm, their wings shed and can be found in small piles throughout an infested home. These wings resemble fish scales.
See swarm photos.
Signs of Subterranean Termite Infestation
Subterranean termites are found throughout the continental United States. These pests build their colonies underground and can travel above ground to access food sources. They enter homes through cracked or unsealed foundations as well as through tunnels constructed from mud, their feces, and saliva. These tunnels are brown, dry, and cylindrical in appearance.
Illustration of Subterranean Termite
The presence of these tunnels near the foundation of your home is a sure sign of subterranean termite infestation. Just like drywood termites, subterranean termites produce winged swarmers which indicate an active termite colony.
How to Identify Termite Infestation
Since termite activity may only become visible after they’ve been active for months or even years, it’s crucial to have your property inspected by a trained professional. Not seeing swarms of these winged insects doesn’t mean your house is safe from them. While a telltale sign of an active infestation is an accumulation of termites flying around your windows or foundation, there are a few other warnings that also indicate a problem.
If you suspect termite activity on your property, make sure to contact an expert in termite identification 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.
Termite Control
How do you know if you have termites?
Learn the signs to look for to determine if you might have a termite infestation.
Termites cost Americans more than $5 billion in damage each year and most insurance plans don’t cover the damage.
We’ll determine whether you actually have termites, then discuss a treatment plan including financing that works for you.
Learn what to expect from your Orkin Pro and the AIM process.
Learn More
Learn the early warning signs of termites and how to know if you have termites on your property.
Explore what to do if you find mud tubes and when you should conduct a termite inspection.
Discover the signs of termites based on where droppings are found and what to do if you find termites in your house.
What are other signs of termite activity besides wood damage?
Stains on drywall, mud, and rippled or hollow wood can all be signs of termite activity.
What is the best time for termite treatment?
To best protect your home from termite damage, the best time for termite treatment is right now!
Are termites active during the winter?
Depending on your climate, termites can tunnel into the soil or remain active all year.
A common sign of a termite infestation, learn how to identify termite exit holes.
Familiarize yourself with common termite evidence and how to decipher sawdust from termite droppings.
