What You Should Know About Termites

Warning Signs

Termites rarely come to the surface of what they’re eating, so most of the time you will never know they have invaded your home until it is too late. However, if you’re lucky, you may see some of the warning signs:

• "Swarming" or flying termites in the house especially near sources of light.
• Small wings near windows, doors or in the garage
• Mud tunnels along the foundation of your house, inside or outside
• Small holes in the wood or drywall or buckling paint

Subterranean Termites: Are the most common type of termite, and have been estimated to cause over ninety percent of all termite damage in the US. These termites live in colonies in the soil and enter houses in search of wood-based food. However, subterranean termites do not live in houses, since they must constantly return to the ground for moisture and to supply the colony with food.

Each colony is built around a queen, whose sole job is reproduction. A queen can live as long as 25 years and produce thousands of eggs per year. The colony also has soldier termites who protect the colony from predators (mostly ants), worker termites who provide food for the colony, and winged reproductive termites who turn into king and queen termites and leave each year to start new termite colonies.

Worker termites are the most troublesome termites to homeowners. Because they are in charge of providing food to the colony, they constantly forage in search of wood-based food, traveling as far as 250 feet from the colony. This relentless search for food makes your home a target.

Inspecting For Termites

Regular termite inspections are an important step in an effective termite program. Most states have guidelines and certification programs for termite inspectors. When having your home inspected, make sure the person or firm is authorized by your state to inspect for termites. A typical inspection will involve the following steps:

1. An examination of your house’s foundation searching for termite mud tunnels. Subterranean termites live in colonies in the ground. In order for them to enter an above ground food source, such as a house, they construct mud tunnels to protect them during their journey from the colony to the food source. Mud tunnels are constructed of dirt and are about as thin as a pencil. Any mud tunnels must be inspected for termite activity.
2. An examination of any direct wood-to-ground contact outside the house. All wood, including treated lumber, which has direct contact with the soil must be inspected for termite activity. Examples of direct wood-to-soil contact include wood fences, steps from your house, wooden decking and steps, landscaping timbers and mulch beds. This wood is inspected for termite activity at or near ground level by probing with a screwdriver or other sharp object. If the wood is easily penetrated, termites, fungus, or some other wood-destroying organism has damaged the wood. Termite activity is indicated by the presence of termites in the wood or signs that they have been feeding at this site. Signs of feeding include termite foraging galleries, dirt or mud present in the wood and/or small trails or holes in the center portion of the wood.
3. An examination of the interior of your house for signs of termite activity. Floorboards, wallboard, wood trim around windows and doors and wood in the attic must be inspected for termite activity. There are three primary signs of termite activity that should be noted during this portion of the inspection. First, the most conclusive sign of termite activity is the presence of mud tunnels. When located, they should be inspected as noted in step one above. Second, areas containing moisture should receive special attention. Subterranean termites require constant moisture in order to survive. Any areas in a house that retain moisture must be thoroughly inspected for signs of termite activity. Wood in these areas can be inspected by probing with a screwdriver or other sharp object (described above). Finally, the house should be examined for flight exit holes. The holes are constructed to allow "swarmers" (winged termites) out to try to establish new colonies. Swarming in the US typically falls between the months of March and July. The flight exit holes look like small mudpacks protruding from one or more openings and are constructed just prior to swarming.
4. An examination of outside areas that are favorable for termite activity. Favorable areas include those that retain moisture around downspouts, spigots, air conditioner lines, and low areas with improper drainage. Other conditions favorable for termite activity include areas that provide a source of food such as direct wood-to-ground contact, woodpiles, mulch beds, wooden fences, tree stumps, and landscaping timbers. All favorable areas should be thoroughly inspected for termites. Termites can be detected by the presence of mud tunnels.

Reducing the Risk

Eliminate any sources of moisture for termites. Check for leaky water spigots, sump pumps or sprinklers. Look for any areas that stay moist for a long time, such as mulch or under bricks or large rocks and ensure that water flows away from your home. Also check for interior leaks in pipes or form roof drainage. Pay particular attention to areas near kitchens or bathrooms, and attached porches or decks.

Remove potential food sources that will attract termites to the vicinity of your home. These include direct wood-to-soil contact (fences, stairs, trellises), wood piles, stumps or dead bushes and other wood debris.

Apply a pre-treatment. When building a new home, check with your contractor for soil pre-treatments that can be applied by an authorized pest control operator.

Have a regular termite inspection. Certified termite inspectors can point out other areas that attract termites to your home and may recommend other treatments such as mechanical alteration, soil or foundation treatments.

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