Termites can be one of the most destructive pests you’ll ever encounter as a homeowner. Because they live in the darkness behind walls and under floors, most damage goes unnoticed until a colony has matured. Learn what termites leave behind and how to spot them.

How termites work behind your walls.

Termite colonies are divided between worker termites, soldier termites and reproductive termites. Worker termites survive by eating cellulose. This is why they attack wood and other plant materials found inside your home. Worker termites travel silently from nest to food source.

Their sense of direction is dependent on pheromones and moisture. While invisible to the naked eye, termites leave clues of their whereabouts around your home. Instead of spotting the insects themselves, you’ll likely come across other warning signs.

Termites feed on wood, shed wings and slowly cause damage to the structural integrity of your home.

What attracts termites to your house?

Termite infestations want what every other pest wants…Access to food and water. Wood framed homes have plenty of both for these unwanted invaders. Dark spaces like crawlspaces and basements offer ideal living conditions for termites.

Leaks around windows, plumbing or roofing provides enough moisture to allow colonies to grow undetected. Poor drainage and gutter clogs can lead to excessive moisture in select areas of your home.

Wood nestled against the soil is easier for termites to access and eat.

Types of termites: Subterranean vs Drywood

Subterranean termites nest in the ground. Without dirt, they can die off quickly. To protect themselves from exposure, subterranean termites build mud tubes to travel back and forth from their nest to food sources.

Drywood termites live inside the wood they eat. Since they don’t live in the soil you won’t see mud trails. These pests are commonly found inside furniture, attic wood, and supporting beams of homes.

Drywood termites leave behind small holes where they venture in and out of wood. You may also notice small, pellet like droppings near wooden materials.

Knowing the difference between these common species can help you narrow down where to look for further signs of termites.

Noise…a tell tale sign of termites?

Termites themselves are silent when traveling through your walls. However, if you sit quietly and listen you may hear slight clicking or tapping sounds within the walls of your home. These sounds can also be heard emanating from wooden support beams.

Most people notice these sounds during the night or early morning when it’s quiet. The noise you hear is soldier termites alerting the rest of the colony of potential danger. Another quick trick is to tap on wood with your fingernail.

If it sounds hollow, termites have likely eaten the inside portion of the wood leaving a thin shell.

Don’t dismiss these outside warning signs

Some of the most obvious signs of termite damage will be found outside your home. Mud tubes are a dead giveaway that termites have made their way to your property.

Running along the foundation, walls or crawlspaces. Another easy way to spot termites from the outside is to look for shed wings.

Termites swarm in hopes of starting a new colony. When they find a mate, reproductive termites shed their wings near windows, door frames and light sources. Piles of tiny wings is a good indicator that termites have invaded your home.

Inspect the outside of your home regularly for these signs.

5 Signs of Termites in Your Home

Termite damage is commonly mistaken for normal wear and tear. For instance, frass are small, pellet like droppings left behind by drywood termites.

You may notice frass near your home’s baseboards, window frames or wood furniture. Bubbling paint or water stained drywall can also be a sign of termites.

Although it may look like water damage, wood damage from termites causes these symptoms. Door frames and windows that suddenly become harder to open or close can be a result of termite damage within the wood.

Take note of small changes that happen slowly over time.

Termite Detection Methods and Tools

It can be difficult to spot termites without the proper equipment. Use a moisture meter to determine if certain areas of your home have excess moisture. Thermal imaging can help you detect activity behind walls, while specialized inspection tools can give you access to dark spaces.

Foundations, crawlspaces and attic joists should be closely inspected. Since most termite damage occurs in high risk areas, these are likely entry points for termite activity.

Visit from a professional like those from Vinx Pest Control can save you time and money. Not only will they perform a thorough inspection of your home, they have techniques and treatments to help prevent future problems.

Termite prevention tips

There are several things you can do to help prevent termites in and around your home. Reducing moisture and eliminating access to wood is the first step.

Trim drainage, maintain gutters and keep firewood or untreated lumber away from soil and foundation walls. Caulk cracks and seams around windows and doors to help eliminate entry points.

Like with any pest, take preventative measures and complete a visual inspection of your home often.

Conclusion

Don’t let termites creep up on you! These small, wood devouring insects are notorious for destroying properties right under homeowners noses. By knowing what to look for you have a better chance of catching them early.

Warn signs like mud tubes, frass, discarded wings, and hollow wood should clue you in that termites are present. If you’re ever unsure, contact a pest control professional to have your home inspected.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the early signs of termites?

You may notice mud tubes along foundation walls, piles of wings near window frames and doorways or damaged wood that sounds hollow.

How do I know if I have termites in my walls?

If you notice bubbling paint, uneven stains on drywall or doors/windows that suddenly become hard to open and close you could have termites behind your walls.

Where should I inspect for termites?

Termite damage is common in crawlspaces, basements and attics. You should also take a closer look at attic floor joists and anywhere pipes or moisture accumulates.

Do termites leave visible damage?

Termite damage typically starts on the inside of walls and work their way out. Many times homeowners will notice termite damage because the wood appears normal on the outside.

When should I contact a pest control professional for termites?

Once you’ve noticed a couple of the warning signs it’s time to call. DIY inspections are good, but only when you know for sure what you’re looking for.

Pest control professionals can perform a more detailed inspection of your property and find where termites are hiding.