
There are a few major clues to watch out for. First, look for sagging floors or ceilings. If wood studs in walls sound hollow when tapped, this could indicate termite damage.
Another indication is finding mud shelter tubes, which are brown and about the width of a pencil. Termites build these to travel between the soil and wooden structures, such as home foundations or crawl space piers. Visit https://www.benspest.biz/ for more information.
Swarmers
Seeing swarmers of winged termites flying around your home during spring or rainy weather is a sure sign that there is a mature, established termite colony nearby. Swarmers are looking for new locations to form a colony and may be attracted to light. This is a good time to call in a professional for a termite inspection.
When swarmers settle in their new locations they shed their wings. If you notice piles of discarded wings near your windows or doors or in cobwebs and spider webs this is another indicator that there is a termite infestation present.
Sagging floors or ceilings are another clear indication that a termite infestation is present. As these pests eat their way through wooden structures, they create tunnels inside of them that can cause them to sag and warp.
If you hear quiet clicking sounds coming from your walls or see mud tubes traveling over or through foam insulation, it is likely that there is a subterranean termite colony nesting nearby. While these signs of a termite infestation are more common in homes with Formosan or eastern subterranean termites, they can also be seen in properties with western drywood termite colonies as well.
Other telltale signs of a termite infestation include hollow-sounding wood, sagging or stuck windows or doors, and drywall damage that resembles mold. It is important to contact a qualified pest control specialist as soon as you see any of these signs so they can perform an introductory termite inspection and prevent serious structural damage. If left untreated, a termite infestation can lead to costly repairs and even severe structural damage. This is why it’s critical to recognize and act on the early warning signs of a termite problem such as swarmers, mud tubes, discarded wings, sagging walls or ceilings, and frass (termite droppings that look like pellets).
Mud Tubes
Termites are known for tunneling through wood, which creates moisture and leads to structural damage. Stiff windows, warped door frames and hollow sounding wood are often the first signs of termite infestation. Mud tubes are the most common sign of subterranean termite activity and are easily spotted in outdoor areas. They look like pencil-sized dirt tunnels, blending in with concrete or soil around foundation walls and in crawl spaces. They’re also a frequent sighting indoors, usually behind baseboards, crown molding and window frames.
Mud tunnels are vital for a termite colony to survive, and they help maintain proper temperature and humidity levels. Made of saliva and fecal material, the tubes block out dry air and help maintain high humidity. Mud tubes can be found anywhere that the ground meets a building, including foundation walls and basements, as well as under porches and in crawl spaces. In addition to mud tunnels, termites also build drop tubes, which hang from joists toward the ground and are often found around plumbing penetrations, HVAC lines, ductwork and ceilings.
Finding mud tubes is a solid indication of an active termite infestation. Different types of mud tubes serve distinct purposes, but if you see any type, it’s best to contact a professional to schedule an inspection and treatment. Exploratory mud tubes are thin trial tunnels that workers build when testing new food paths. These are typically spotted on foundation walls and may extend a few feet before ending. Working mud tubes, on the other hand, are thicker and more durable. Termite colonies use them to move worker and soldier termites between their nests and wood they’re feeding on. They’re a little like termite highways, running along foundation walls, sills, joists and under porches.
Wood Damage
A termite infestation can cause wood damage, especially when the pests attack softwood. They also eat away at the support beams of homes, causing them to buckle and compromise structural integrity. Wood floorboards may also buckle and blister, causing them to sound hollow as you walk across them. Termite-damaged wood may have a musty or moldy scent and often has visible signs of decay.
Termites can chew through both healthy and rotting wood, but they prefer softer materials like paper and drywall, which are easier on their mandibles. These pests can leave behind pin-sized holes in drywall, as well as bubbling under wallpaper or paint. If you notice these signs of decay in your home, contact your local Terminix for a professional inspection.
Swarms of flying termites are a telltale sign of a potential termite problem. While many people mistake swarming termites for ants, swarming termites are distinguishable by straight antennae and a robust mid-section that is more defined than the tapered middle of an ant.
Discarded wings are another classic indicator of a possible termite infestation. Termite swarmers shed their wings after they land and will leave piles of broken or discolored wings near windows, doors, or other entry points in your home. You may even hear quiet clicking sounds from inside walls as the soldier termites beat their heads against the wood to signal danger to the other colony members.
Wood that is a common target for termites is any type of timber or wood-based product, including furniture, flooring, and wooden beams. It is important to regularly check these areas for termite infestations, especially if you have recently moved into a house or office building that has not been maintained previously. Moisture is the biggest attraction for termites, so it is a good idea to keep water away from wood, fix leaky roofs promptly, and reduce humidity in crawl spaces.
Discarded Wings
Like ants, termites shed their wings as they move to start new colonies. When you see piles of discarded wings near your windows and doors, you should assume that there is an active termite infestation nearby. You can distinguish discarded wing piles from ant pheromone trails by the size difference between the front and back wings, or by their translucent color.
Mud tubes are another clear sign of a termite infestation. These tubes are constructed by worker termites to shelter themselves from sunlight and weather as they forage inside the wood of your home. If you find mud tubes under your foundation or in crawl space cement blocks, call a pest control expert immediately for a professional inspection and treatment plan.
If left unchecked, a termite infestation can destroy your home and lead to expensive repairs. Recognizing the early warning signs of a termite problem can save you hundreds, or even thousands, in costly repairs down the road.
When termites invade a home, they eat away at the structure from the inside out. The resulting damage can cause support beams and other structural elements to crack or collapse. A professional termite inspection can identify a problem before it causes significant damage and costly repair costs.
In addition to mud tubes, swarmers, wood damage, and discarded wings, other common symptoms of termite infestation include hollow-sounding wood, squeaky floors, stuck doors and windows, and moldy odors. Be sure to carefully read the pesticide label when applying any insecticide around your home, as improper application of certain products can drive termites deeper into the house. Contact a pest control expert for a professional termite inspection to ensure that you’re using the right products in the correct places to prevent future infestations.
Blistering Wood
Termites often cause structural damage in homes without obvious signs on the surface. These pests are able to tunnel through wood structures such as baseboards and walls, which can weaken them and cause sagging floors and ceilings.
One of the most common warning signs of a termite infestation is blistering wood. This occurs as a result of subterranean termites chewing through drywall and other paper products to access the cellulose inside. Termites leave blistering marks on the surface of wood and can also create moisture conditions that may lead to paint bubbling or dimpling. If you notice any of these symptoms, call your local termite control expert for a professional inspection.
Another common sign of a termite problem is hollow-sounding wood. Termites eat wood from the inside out, leaving a thin veneer on the surface that sounds hollow when tapped. While this could be a sign of other issues, such as wood rot or water damage, it is also a clear indication that there is an active termite infestation nearby.
Other subtle signs of a termite problem include clicking noises, which are created by worker termites communicating with each other. In addition, if you notice tiny pinholes in drywall or smudged wallpaper, which are left behind by termite tunneling, this is another indicator that you need to schedule a termite inspection.
Other less obvious signs of a termite infestation include the appearance of piles of pellet-like frass, small kick-out holes in wood and discarded wings. While discarded wings and mud tubes are more obvious, these signs can go unnoticed for months before an exterminator is called in. Identifying these signs as soon as they appear can help you prevent extensive structural damage and minimize the cost of a termite treatment.




