12 Surefire Signs You Have A Termite Infestation

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Termite infestations can be destructive and costly if left untreated. To come out ahead, it is essential to be vigilant and identify the signs of termite presence in your home early. The most obvious sign of a termite infestation to look out for is a swarm. During a swarm, you will see thousands of insects all over your home, covering every surface in some rooms. In these instances, you need to call an exterminator right away. Yet sometimes, the signs that these pests have moved in can be more subtle. You might not know you have termites until they have gnawed through so much wood that you are looking at thousands of dollars in damage.

The subtle signs to look out for are things like bowing floors and drooping ceilings. You might notice the paint on your walls suddenly starts peeling or the doors to certain rooms begin to stick when you open them. On their own, these signs might not always mean termites, but when you add them together, they nearly always do. If you know what to look for, you can catch the pests early and get rid of them before they ruin all the wood in your home.

Termites lose their wings when they are ready to breed. The winged termites, also called alates or swarmers, come out of their nest in a big group to find a new home. They fly for a little while and then land and get rid of their wings. By shedding their wings, they can easily dig into the ground or other good spots to start a brand new termite colony. Once underground, they mate, and one female becomes queen, making the base for the new termite colony. You are most likely to find discarded wings on window sills and ledges, or around outdoor lights like porch or patio fixtures. Remember to check out your basement and crawl spaces for them, too. Termites can sneak in from below and leave their wings in those dark and damp areas. Also, keep an eye out for discarded wings near wooden structures like decks, fences, or anything made of wood.

If you find wings in your home, don't panic. The first step is to ensure they are termite wings. Use a pair of tweezers to pick them up so you don't break them. Look closely to make note of their features. Termites have four equal-sized wings, whereas ants have wings (yes, some have wings) of different sizes: two larger wings in front, and two smaller wings in the back. If you see four wings of the same size, call an exterminator before things spiral out of control.

If there are mud tubes inside your walls, you might notice that the paint will begin to bubble. As thousands of insects move through their tunnels, the structures can trap and accumulate moisture. This is especially true if the termites are feeding on wooden elements in contact with the wall. The trapped moisture can then seep through the wall, affecting the paint. In some cases, as termites hollow out wooden structures like plywood walls, they compromise their integrity, leading to structural instability within the wall. This can cause the underlying surfaces to shift and crack, which can then manifest as cracks in the paint or drywall on the exterior, too.

If you live in an older home, cracked walls or bubbling paint might not always be from termite damage. The issue is only a major cause for concern when it happens suddenly. Termites work quickly, so if your perfect paint job begins to bubble or a crack appears out of nowhere on your wooden wall, it's time to jump into action. You might peel away the bubbled paint to check for damage underneath or tap the wall to listen for hollow sounds. From there, you can call a pest control specialist to finish the job.

If you have lots of rotting trees in your backyard, it might be because of termites. Take a look at each damaged tree's bark. Termites create concealed pathways beneath the tree's bark as they tunnel through the wood. Look for irregular patterns of damage, like cracks or splits on the tree's surface, as these can be indicative of termite galleries. You should also check for sections of bark that appear loose or detached, as termites may ruin it in their pursuit of cellulose-rich wood. If you notice these things early, you might have a shot at stopping the spread into your home.

Even if there aren't any signs of termites, if there are dead trees or decaying wood in your backyard, you should get rid of it ASAP. Termites can use these trees or woodpiles as a starting point before progressing to healthier trees or, ultimately, your house. Regular tree maintenance, including tree removal when necessary, can disrupt their access route and reduce the risk of infestation spread. You can also opt for termite-resistant plant species in your landscaping as a protective measure. While no plant is entirely immune to termites, some are less attractive to them. Old wives' tales say that marigolds and lemongrass are known to be less appealing to the bugs, making it harder for them to establish colonies near your house.

Termite droppings, often referred to as "frass" by those in the business, are small, pellet-like excrement left behind by termites. These droppings are typically a combination of digested wood fibers and feces. They can vary in appearance depending on the species of termite, but they often resemble tiny, elongated granules or capsules. Termite frass is typically a uniform color, like beige or brown, and may be mistaken for sawdust or sand due to its small size.

This frass is then expelled from the termite colony through small openings, known as kick-out holes, in the infested wood. These holes are often a telltale sign of termite presence, as the termites push the frass out to keep their galleries clean and maintain a nice environment for their colony. Detecting termite droppings is a critical sign of a termite infestation. If you see sawdust in your home, but haven't recently done any sanding or sawing, know that it is not really sawdust. Instead, recognize it as a sign of termites. Take immediate action to protect your property from damage by calling a pest control specialist.

Sometimes termites might not be in the walls — they might show up in your deck or wooden furniture. If you suspect termites on your deck, the best way to check is with a spring in your step. If you skip around your deck, you will be able to feel how the wood responds to you. If it gives at all, there is damage to it, as healthy wood should feel sturdy. Things also might be more obvious. There could be tunnels or visible damage on the outside of the deck, too. The same goes for furniture. If small holes appear in the exposed parts of your wooden furniture, you have a problem.

The first step is to remove the infected furniture from your home. You don't want to give the insects a chance to spread. In case they already have, or you find evidence of terminates on your deck, call an exterminator. In the meantime, you can spray termite-killing chemicals around the exterior of your home and your deck. While you can't completely DIY a termite killing, you can typically kill enough of them to keep you in the clear until reinforcements arrive.

When termites are eating away at the wood under your flooring, the moisture they create causes small blisters to appear. These little bubbles can sometimes look a bit like water damage. However, if you know no pipes run under this spot, and there is no leak from the ceiling or spills in sight, it is likely termites.

To tell the difference for certain, take a closer look at the way the wood appears to be damaged. If the damage is from water, the wood will usually be different colors and smell bad, like must or mildew. If there are small blister bubbles or any sort of tunnel — it's termites. If you press your fingers down on the bubbles and they feel hollow underneath or they crumble to reveal powder that looks like sawdust — it's termites. Wood that is rotting is uneven and breakable; termite-damaged wood is tunneled and hollow.