9 Tell-Tale Signs of Termite Infestation

Too many homeowners only call termite control services when these little critters have already done significant damage to their furniture or home. However, the key to successful and effective termite control is spotting the signs of termite infestation early, so you and pest control experts can perform the necessary measures immediately.

Check out the nine clues that termites are in your home.

9 Signs of Termites in Your House

Termites are sneaky little creatures, but they do leave some trails in their wake. These clues are not obvious to the untrained eye. But they’re quite easy to spot once you know which signs to look for.

Discarded Wings

Flying termites are called swarmers because they tend to be persistent visitors to your home. Male and female termites fly to find a mate and create a new colony. Once they’ve established a colony, swarmers shed their wings.

Discarded translucent wings are the signs of an early infestation that termites have just established their colony on your property.

Avoid the mistake of thinking these wings are just any other benign insect’s wings. When you see these discarded wings, contact pest control right away so the colony can be removed before they multiply.

White Ants

Termites and ants have similar physical appearances, which is why a lot of people mistake termites for white ants. However, if you look at the different types of termites in the Philippines, you’ll find that there are major differences – besides the fact that ants may be after your food, while termites will consume your home’s bones and furniture.

So, to avoid mistaking termites with ants, here are some key differences to look out for:

• Termites’ antennae are straight rather than the elbowed antennae of ants
• Termites’ thorax (the area after the head) is thicker whereas this section of an ant’s body is narrow
• Termites are white and there is no such thing as a white ant!

The moment you see a white ant, call termite control.

Mounds and Mud Tubes

Does your garden have mounds or “nuno sa punso” with tunnels made of mud that seem to travel to your house or other wooden structures?

If the answer is yes, then this is a surefire sign of termite infestation.

Mounds and mud tunnels are made by subterranean termites. These pests build these mud tubes, which are roughly the size of a pencil to allow their workers to gather sustenance from around your property. Meanwhile, the mound serves as the entrance to their subterranean colony.

Some species of termites also create secondary mounds attached or hanging from trees. Seeing such a sign is an indicator of a heavy infestation and pest control must immediately be sought out.

Loud Clicking Noises

Termites are characterized as “head bangers” because they hit their heads against wood resulting in clicking noises. In addition, termite soldiers shake their bodies to signal danger to other termites that their colony might get disturbed. So, if you hear loud clicking sounds, then chances are, there are termites in your house.

You should also know that termites are noisy eaters so if you can hear munching on wood, it means that the termites are having a little snack. Do not ignore these loud clicking and munching sounds. You may still prevent termites from dealing much damage to your home by acting as soon as you identify this first sign of trouble.

Termite Droppings

Termite droppings or frass are another key indicator that your house has termites. Termite droppings are small black or dark powdery substances. If you find these, it means that termites have consumed something in your house.

Termite droppings also signal what type of termite has invaded your home, which is useful in determining how to best get rid of termites at home. Frass are excreted by drywood termites, which they then push out of small holes near the entrance of their nest. You’ll find droppings – that you may mistake for dust – near wooden items.

However, not finding termite droppings doesn’t mean you’re in the clear. Subterranean termites use their feces to build their tunnels. So, watch out for either trace of termite infestation!

Dirt on Wood

Since termites use mud and soil to build their shelter tubes, chances are they’ll be covered in them while crawling on or on a wooden surface. In addition to termite droppings, watch out for any mud or soil around wooden furniture or structures that seem to have come from nowhere.

Think of dirt as their paw prints that will lead you to where they have been hiding.

Blowholes in Trees

Some drywood and subterranean termite colonies are formed in tree root crowns and trunks. Colonies occasionally fight with invaders. The losing colony may create slits on trunks to escape and find a different location.

Once the fight is over, the winning colony’s worker termites seal the holes and the tree will produce a callus where the slits used to be, forming a blowhole. If you see these calluses, then knock on the trunk where it is present to hear if it is hollow which would mean that termites have invaded.

Hollowed Wood or Furniture

Termites are passionate wood eaters. When termites feed, they leave a thin veneer on the surface while they consume wood from the inside out. This is dangerous because hollowed timber can no longer support weight, meaning it can collapse at any minute.

Survey areas and furniture made of wood and try knocking or tapping on the wood. You will know that it has experienced termite damage if the wood sounds hollow or papery. This is because the timber has been eaten severely.

Buckling Paint

If you have termites, a sign of infestation is buckling paint accompanied by tiny holes in the wood. More often than not, you’ll also find that this wood has become hollow, meaning that termites have eaten them.

If you open these pieces of wood, you’ll likely find tunnels running parallel to the wood’s grain and, potentially, a few worker termites.

Don’t Let Your Guard Down Against Termites

When it comes to termites, you can never be too relaxed. It’s important to be aware of the signs of termites in a house so you can act quickly and protect your home and other investments from damage.

If you find any of these signs or suspect a termite infestation in your property, contact a professional termite control team to uproot the problem before it can inflict costly damage.

A keen eye and fast response are key to maintaining a termite-proof house.

Don’t hesitate to contact us to protect your home from termites.