Catching a termite infestation early can make treatment more effective and significantly less expensive. However, early signs are often subtle and easy to miss, making detection challenging for many homeowners. Learning what to look for can help you spot potential issues and contact a trusted pest control provider before the damage worsens.
In this guide, we’ll explain how to recognize termite activity based on common behaviors and damage indicators and recommend the top pest control companies to consider for professional help.
Signs of Termite Damage
Two main types of termites plague homes all over the country. Subterranean termites, the most destructive kind, live in the soil and tunnel to their food source—your home—while drywood termites actually make their nests in the wood itself. Both can cause incredible amounts of damage. Below are ways to detect a termite infestation.
Mud Tubes
Subterranean termites create a network of highways out of soil and wood. These “mud tubes” are about the diameter of a pencil and connect the termites’ nest to their food source. They also protect termites from predators and keep moisture in. They’re often found on the walls of a house’s foundation leading up from the ground.
Sometimes, mud tubes are left behind from previous infestations that are no longer active. If you want to see if termites are still crawling into your home, break off a small piece of the mud tube. If the tube is repaired in a few days, that means the termites are still present and using the tunnels.
Note that drywood termites do not make mud tubes, so an absence of mud tubes is not proof that you do not have termites.
Damaged Wood
Termites tunnel through the interior of pieces of wood, so you can’t always see the damage until the termite infestation is severe. However, you can compare different areas of wood in your home to see if there are any key differences. Tap on wooden surface and listen for hollow sounds, or press the tip of a screwdriver against the surface to probe for damage.
Blisters in Flooring or Wall Coverings
Subterranean termites can cause issues that look a lot like water damage. If the termites are feasting on wood right beneath your flooring, your floors may blister or swell. Paint, drywall, wallpaper, and sheetrock can also show signs of bubbling, rippling, or sinking if there is termite damage behind it.
Frass
If drywood termites are eating your home, you may find frass—their droppings, which are little pellets of wood. Mounds of them look similar to sawdust and are often found out in the open. Drywood termites create galleries, or tunnels, when they nest. The termites will push the droppings out of the tunnels to keep the area clean.
Swarmers and Discarded Wings
In the springtime, both drywood and subterranean swarmers—reproductive termites—emerge from the nest to mate and create a new colony. You may see swarmers themselves flying, but it’s more likely you’ll see discarded clumps of wings near closed doors and windows. Termites shed their wings once they land, because they no longer need them.
Headbanging
Subterranean termites signal danger to other termites by banging their heads against the walls or shaking their bodies. This creates a rustling or rattling sound that is very faint, but you may be able to hear it in quiet environments.
Professional Pest Control
Even if you’ve only noticed a few warning signs, it’s essential to contact a professional pest control company as soon as possible. Termites can cause serious structural damage in a short period, often without being visible until the infestation is well advanced. A licensed pest control technician will thoroughly inspect your home’s interior, exterior, crawl spaces, and foundation to confirm the presence and extent of the infestation.
Pest control experts can accurately identify the type of termites involved and determine the extent of the infestation. This allows them to create a customized treatment plan to eliminate and prevent the colony from returning.
Top-rated companies like Orkin, Terminix, and Aptive offer specialized termite treatment plans that combine techniques such as bait stations, liquid termiticides, and wood treatments. These services eliminate active colonies and include ongoing monitoring and preventative measures to protect your home in the long term.
While DIY treatments may seem appealing, professional termite control ensures thorough detection, proper treatment, and peace of mind that your home is protected from future infestations.
How To Prevent Termite Damage
Termites can cause costly damage, but preventing infestations is much easier than dealing with them. Below are key preventative measures to help protect your home from expensive structural damage.
- Choose treated wood: Use pressure-treated or termite-resistant wood for decks, fences, and other ground-contact structures.
- Control moisture: Fix leaky pipes, improve drainage, and use dehumidifiers in crawl spaces or basements. Make sure gutters and downspouts direct water away from the foundation.
- Improve ventilation: Check crawl spaces and attic ventilation to reduce humidity.
- Limit mulch use: Avoid placing mulch directly against the foundation, as it retains moisture and attracts termites.
- Schedule professional inspections: Have a licensed pest control expert conduct a termite inspection for early signs of infestation.
- Seal entry points: Regularly inspect and seal foundation cracks or gaps.
- Store wood properly: Keep firewood, lumber, and wood debris at least 20 feet from your home and off the ground.
- Use soil treatments: Apply liquid termiticides or install bait stations around your home’s perimeter.
Our Conclusion
Termite damage can cause severe structural issues and significantly reduce your home’s value. Because infestations are often hidden and difficult to treat, we don’t recommend DIY solutions. Professional pest control companies can accurately identify the problem and apply targeted treatments. We recommend contacting multiple companies to get at least three quotes for termite treatment pricing before making your final decision.
FAQs about Termite Damage
What does the start of termite damage look like?
Unfortunately, termite damage is difficult to detect early since it occurs inside the wood. Signs of infestation include buckling or swelling wood and a hollow sound when tapped.
How quickly can termites damage a house?
Termites can cause significant damage in months, depending on the colony size and termite species. Formosan subterranean termites, known for their large colonies, can cause structural damage in as little as six months to a year.
Does most homeowners insurance cover termite damage?
Homeowners insurance typically doesn’t cover termite damage, as it is considered preventable. Insurers view insect damage, including termites, as a result of lack of maintenance or neglect, meaning any repair costs would fall under the homeowner’s responsibility. Regular inspections and preventative measures are key to avoiding infestations and damage.
Our Rating Methodology
We back up our pest control recommendations with a detailed rating methodology that we use to objectively score each provider. We review pest control plans, navigate the provider website, speak with customer service representatives by phone and online chat (if available), request quotes, and analyze customer reviews for each provider. We then score the provider against our review standards for plans and services, reputation and customer responses, customer service offerings, workmanship guarantees, financing, and availability to arrive at a final score on a 5-point rating scale.
